ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (February 10, 2017) — The Tampa Bay Rowdies have signed goalkeeper Nico Campbell, the club announced Friday, pending league and federation approval. Per club and league policy, further contract details were not disclosed.

Campbell, 22, played his collegiate career at Valparaiso University in Indiana from 2013 until this past Fall. This is Campbell’s first professional contract. He completed a trial with the Rowdies in January and played 45 minutes in each of the Rowdies’ Florida Cup matches against VfL Wolfsburg and Atletico Mineiro.

“I think the first thing you notice about Nico is his size,” Rowdies Head Coach Stuart Campbell said. “At 6-foot-4, he’s got the height and wingspan you look for in a goalie, but he’s also very smooth in his movement, which is a great combination. We liked what we saw from Nico during the Florida Cup and we’re excited to have signed him.”

Despite his age and lack of professional experience, Campbell brings a strong resume to Tampa Bay.

While playing for the Des Moines Menace in the USL PDL, Campbell was one of three finalists for PDL Goalkeeper of the Year. Under his leadership with a 0.44 goals-against-average per 90 minutes, the Menace conceded the fewest regular season goals in the league.

As a junior at Valpo, Campbell was named the Horizon League Goalkeeper of the Year and a first-team All-Conference player. He was named to the Horizon League second team as a senior in 2016.

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Campbell played at the youth international level for the Reggae Boyz, starting two matches for Jamaica in the 2011 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Mexico.

About #MLS2StPete

The Tampa Bay Rowdies announced their #MLS2StPete campaign in December 2016, only to be named as one of the eleven candidates in the running for a Major League Soccer franchise less than two weeks later. The campaign also includes a privately funded renovation and expansion plan to Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Petersburg. For more information, visit MLS2StPete.com.

The best way to show that Tampa Bay is ready for a Major League Soccer franchise is to secure 2017 season tickets. For information on how to become a 2017 Season Ticket Member, call (727) 222-2000 or click here.