RENO, Nev. — Reno 1868 FC has signed winger Darwin Espinal to a one-year deal, the club announced on Wednesday.
Espinal's signing is pending USL and federation approval.
Espinal, 22, is a dynamic, pacey midfielder who most recently played for the South Florida Surf, a club in the Premier Development League (PDL).
“He can score goals from wide and he’s a good pick up for us,” Reno 1868 FC head coach Ian Russell said. “We’re going to ease him in, see how he progresses and hopefully he can get into a starting role.”
The Honduran international is not new to the USL scene as he played for the Tampa Bay Rowdies during the 2015-16 season scoring four goals.
“Darwin was the top-rated player in the PDL and has tremendous upside” Andy Smith, general manager for Reno 1868 FC, said. “His ability to take people on one-on-one adds a new dynamic to our team.”
Espinal is expected to contribute in Reno 1868 FC’s attack which has notched 29 total goals this season in the USL.
Name: Darwin Espinal
Pronunciation: (Dar-win Ez-pi-nahl)
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 165 pounds
Jersey Number: 13
Date of Birth: January 16, 1995
Age: 22
Hometown: Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Country: Honduras
Last Club: South Florida Surf
How Acquired: Free Agent Signing
Transactions: Reno 1868 FC and Cam Vickers have agreed to mutually terminate the midfielder’s contract June 20. Additionally, Reno 1868 FC and Jake Ward agreed to mutually terminate the defender’s contract on the same date.