PHOENIX (November 30, 2018) — Phoenix Rising Football Club announced today that midfielder Gladson Awako would return for the 2019 season. Per club policy, the details of the contract will not be made public.

Awako first signed with the club on September 4, 2017. In his second season with the club, Awako played 1,833 minutes in 30 appearances, scoring a goal and contributing five assists. His five assists tied for third on the club. Among players with at least 600 passes, Awako was the most accurate passer on the team, completing 84.4 percent of his passes. He was also fourth on the team in chances created (30) and was named to the USL Team of the Week for Week 24.

In 2017, Awako played 710 minutes in 11 appearances, collecting a goal and two assists. Prior to joining Phoenix Rising, Awako had a five-year stint with TP Mazembe of the Congolese first division. During his time with the African club, TP Mazembe won four league titles and one African Champions League title.

The Ghana native has been a member of his country’s U-20 national team, and earned one senior international cap in 2009. He has previously played on trial with European giants Inter Milan and Tottenham Hotspur.

Prior to TP Mazembe, Awako starred with Ghanaian clubs Heart of Lions and Real Sportive. In 71 combined appearances with the two teams, Awako scored 22 goals.

Awako becomes the eighth player officially announced for the 2019 roster.



About Phoenix Rising FC

Phoenix Rising FC is the highest-level professional soccer franchise in Arizona’s history. The club is owned by legendary Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker, Didier Drogba, Advantage Sports Union CEO, Alex Zheng, Executive Chairman of Kona Grill, Berke Bakay, and an impressive collection of business leaders and international celebrities. Established in 2016, Phoenix Rising FC is one of 10 cities applying for Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion and currently plays in the USL Championship, the largest Division 2 professional league in the world. In October 2017, Phoenix Rising FC acquired FC Tucson and is bringing USL League One professional soccer to Tucson beginning in the spring of 2019. For season tickets or more information call 623-594-9606 or visit PHXRisingFC.com. You can also follow the team on Facebook (PHXRisingFC), Twitter (@PHXRisingFC), Instagram (@PHXRisingFC), Snapchat (PHXRisingFC) and YouTube (PhoenixRisingFootballClub).

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