ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (February 6, 2020) -- The Tampa Bay Rowdies have signed defender Max Lachowecki for the 2020 USL Championship season, pending league and federation approval. Per club policy, further contract details were not disclosed.

Lachowecki, 27, played for the Rowdies in 2018 before taking a hiatus from professional soccer. He appeared in 16 matches for the Rowdies in 2018, including 10 starts as a left-sided defender.

“I’m delighted to bring Max back to the club,” Rowdies Head Coach and Technical Director Neill Collins said. “He phoned me back around October for advice because he missed playing the game and I thought it was only right to give him a chance to spend preseason with us. From day one, he’s been working incredibly hard and he’s got a renewed sense of purpose that will really help us this season.”

Prior to joining the Rowdies, he played two seasons with Real Monarchs SLC after being drafted No. 25 overall by Real Salt Lake in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft. In his time with the Monarchs, Lachowecki helped guide the club to a USL Championship regular season title, making 33 appearances in 2017.

"I’m stoked to be back in St. Pete,” Lachowecki said. “I’m well aware of how special this club is to the city. I feel fortunate to be playing the game I love once again, and have every intention of adding to the winning culture of the Rowdies.”

With Lachowecki now on the roster for 2020, Tampa Bay’s squad stands at 21 players. The full squad is below.

Goalkeepers (3): Evan Louro, Ian McGrane, Macklin Robinson

Defenders (6): Mustapha Dumbuya, Aaron Guillen, Max Lachowecki, Forrest Lasso, Louis Lomas, Jordan Scarlett

Midfielders (8): Jordan Doherty, Yann Ekra, Leo Fernandes, Lewis Hilton, Malik Johnson, Kevin Mendoza, Dom Oduro, Zach Steinberger

Forwards (4): Sebastian Guenzatti, Lucky Mkosana, Kyle Murphy, Juan Tejada