ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (November 8, 2019) — With the 2019 Tampa Bay Rowdies season in the books, work is already well underway reshaping the playing squad for the 2020 USL Championship season and beyond.

The Rowdies set a host of team records in 2019, including most Modern Era wins and goals, and have built a solid foundation from which to grow.

Nine members of the 2019 roster are already confirmed to return via multi-year contracts or by having their contract options exercised by the club. That group is listed below:

GK: Macklin Robinson

M: Yann Ekra, Leo Fernandes, Dom Oduro, Zach Steinberger

F: Sebastian Guenzatti, Malik Johnson, Lucky Mkosana, Juan Tejada

In this group of nine returning players, the Rowdies bring back their three leading scorers, three leading assisters and 45 of the 62 goals scored by the team this season.

A total of 12 players from the 2019 roster are out of contract following the expiration of a one-year deal or by having their club option declined. While these players are currently free agents, a return to the Rowdies can be negotiated. That group is listed below:

GK: Chris Konopka*, John McCarthy*

D: Shawn Barry^, Pape Diakite*, Ryan Felix^, Mohamed Kone^, Tarek Morad^, David Najem*

M: Kwadwo Poku*, Afrim Taku^

F: Jaime Siaj^, Leon Taylor^

*denotes expiration of contract

^denotes club option declined

Caleb Richards and Jordan Doherty have returned to their parent clubs, Norwich City FC and Sheffield United FC, respectively, following the conclusion of their loan deals.

Recruitment of new players for the 2020 season is already in progress as we prepare for our most exciting season yet.