RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers announced on Friday the addition of Canadian international Mallan Roberts and homegrown midfielder Finnlay Wyatt, as well as the return of Richmond United Academy midfielder Simon Fitch for the 2017 season. The signings are pending league and federation approval.

A 6-foot-2 defender, Roberts signed with FC Edmonton in 2013 following a stint with the club’s Academy program. Making 46 appearances in an FC Edmonton uniform, he tallied three goals and amassed 4,026 minutes over four seasons before going on loan with Ottawa Fury FC in 2016 where he played 22 games.

“Mallan is a powerful defender with considerable Division 2 playing experience,” said Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Director of Soccer. “He's still young with plenty of room for development and we look forward to him fulfilling that potential with the Kickers.”

Born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Roberts gained Canadian citizenship in 2013 and earned his first international call-up when he debuted for Canada in a 2015 World Cup Qualifier against Dominica. Prior to joining the FC Edmonton Reserves in 2012, he played for the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in Sierra Leone.