RICHMOND, Va. – (Friday, January 10, 2020) – The Richmond Kickers have signed forward Stanley Alves, pending USL League One and USSF approval.

"Stanley was a player we watched during the college season at Lowell and he attended our combine weekend in December,” commented Darren Sawatzky, Kickers Sporting Director and Head Coach. “He is clinical in his finishing and he puts himself in good positions to finish off opportunities created by the team. Having another attacking option creates competition and brings the level of players up in our team. We look forward to getting Stanley in front of the goal."

A native of Minas Gerais, Brazil, Alves was named to the Bay State League three times along with being named to the Eastern Mass All-Star team in high school before committing to the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Over 51 matches with the Riverhawks, Alves scored 13 goals and notched four assists. During his collegiate career, Alves has stints with Seacoast United in USL League Two and the New England Revolution U-23s. Alves joins the Kickers signing his first professional contract.

“I want to start off by thanking the coaching staff, teammates, family, and ultimately God for putting me in a place where I didn’t see a limit for growth,” said Alves. “Some say that the people you are surrounded by are the ones that shape you. It could not have been more apparent at UMass Lowell. From academic advisors to coaches to some of my best friends, I owe my success on and off the field to them. It truly is a blessing to have them around me because work ethic that embodies myself, shows in the people around me. Thanks to them, I was able to fulfill my lifelong dream of signing a professional contract. In addition, I’d like to thank coach Darren for seeing something special in me and offering me my first pro contract. The first is always a special one.”

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2020 Richmond Kickers Roster

Goalkeepers (1): Akira Fitzgerald

Defenders (5): Wahab Ackwei, Devante Dubose, Ivan Magalhães, Conor Shanosky, Scott Thomsen

Midfielders (7): Amass Amankona, Greg Boehme, Matt Bolduc, David Diosa, Ryley Kraft, Mutaya Mwape, Luke Pavone

Forwards (2): Stanley Alves, Charles Boateng