The Charleston Battery has re-signed midfielder Vincenzo Candela for the 2019 season pending league and federation approval. Candela returns to the Battery after making 18 USL appearances in 2018.

Despite missing two months due to injury, Candela played an integral role in the Battery’s success last season. The Colombian midfielder recorded two assists and ranked highly among Battery midfielders in tackles, clearances, and interceptions.

In his first season in Charleston, Candela helped the Battery to a fourth place finish in the Eastern Conference and an eleventh consecutive trip to the playoffs. The 24-year old logged 1,357 minutes in 2018, which ranked third among newcomers.

Candela is the 13th returning player from the 2018 squad. He joins Joe Kuzminsky (goalkeeper); Taylor Mueller, Jarad van Schaik, Jay Bolt, Leland Archer (defenders); Angelo Kelly, Nico Rittmeyer, Tah Brian Anunga, Kotaro Higashi (midfielders); Ataulla Guerra, Ian Svantesson, and Romario Piggott (forwards) on the current 2019 roster.

Head Coach and General Manager Mike Anhaeuser will continue to evaluate and add players to the roster in the coming weeks. Charleston Battery Open Trials are set for January 26-27 and February 8-9 at MUSC Health Stadium. The trials are open to all players; for more information, visit charlestonbattery.com/trials.

Preseason will begin following the second open trials session and will lead into the Carolina Challenge Cup featuring Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew SC, FC Cincinnati. The full preseason schedule will be released in the coming weeks.