Lexington Sporting Club announces returning players for 2024 season.
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Lexington Sporting Club announced nine returning players ahead of the 2024 season from Monday to Wednesday.
The club underwent numerous roster changes after the introduction of Head Coach Darren Powell following its inaugural USL League One season in 2023.
The club announced over the three-day span that it will return Kaelon Fox, Ates Diouf, Tate Robertson, Erick Ceja-Gonzalez, Amal Knight, Austin Causey, Khalid Balogun, Nico Brown, Kimball Jackson and Pierre Mané.
The club’s first ever signing, Fox became a fan favorite during the 2023 season, starting in every match of the season and becoming the first player to surpass 1,000 minutes for the club. Fox, who played collegiate soccer at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, was also featured on the SportsCenter Top 10 during the season for an acrobatic save in the box.
“I am thrilled to continue this journey with LSC in year two and look forward to meeting the new faces within the club for pre-season,” Fox said. “Together, we will set our sights on new goals and will be pushing for hardware! See you all on the field!”
Ates Diouf made history during his first season in Lexington, becoming the first player in club history to notch a brace and hat trick, and the first player to surpass 10 goals, finishing the season as the club leader with 15 of them. Diouf’s hat trick in Colorado, also gave Lexington its first ever road win.
Tate Robertson etched his name into the record books as well during his first season with Lexington, finishing the 2023 season with a club-leading eight assists, the second highest number recorded by any player in the league that year. Robertson also recorded the club’s first Goal of the Week, scoring a total of four goals himself.
Erick Ceja Gonzalez started the season in a reserve role, but once he found his groove, he solidified himself as a starter and by the end of the season, fans would have been hard pressed to see a fixture in which Gonzalez wasn’t on the pitch.
“Coming back to LSC means a lot. It’s nice when a club sees potential in you, especially the club that gave me the opportunity to earn my first pro contract. I’m ready to work hard and have an amazing season,” Gonzalez said.
Amal Knight, forged his own path into the history books during year one at Lexington Sporting Club, breaking the league record for most Save of the Week awards with eight and regularly finding himself on the Team of the Week. A Jamaican International, Knight recorded a staggering 80 saves to finish second in the league in saves per 90 (3.3).
Austin Causey made a name as one of the best reserve goalkeepers in the league during his first season in Lexington, though he did find himself on starting numerous occasions as well, during which he found his name on the USL League One Team of the Week — while also notching a club Bad Ass Coffee Moment of the Match.
“It feels great to be coming back to Lexington and to build on what we started last season,” Causey said. “I’m excited to work with Coach Darren and his staff as well as be a part of what’s new to come for LSC.”
Khalid Balogun also became a fan favorite during his first season, scoring four goals and notching two assists. Balogun joined the ranks of players from the club to be named to the USL League One Team of the Week in its inaugural season. Balogun also holds the distinction of scoring Lexington’s first ever non-penalty goal.
“Excited to be back for another year, can’t wait to get started!” Balogun said.
Nico Brown also made a name for himself as a threat to score goals, totalling eight in the 2023 season, enough to place him second all-time in club history. Brown’s first goal came on April 15 and was one of two that pushed the club to its first ever win, defeating then reigning champions Tormenta FC.
Kimball Jackson became a fan favorite as a late bloomer, not seeing the field until September 1. Once his gate was opened, however, Jackson never looked back, scoring his first goal by the end of the month and becoming a consistent piece to the team puzzle, even earning himself a Team of the Week nod. Hailing from Lexington initially, Jackson is one of the youngest athletes on the roster.
“I’m really excited to come back this year and continue to build off the momentum that we created last season,” Jackson said. “I can’t wait to play in front of our fans in the new stadium. Feeling blessed to continue with Lexington Sporting Club in my second year as a professional player.”
Pierre Mané was another one who took some time to bloom, initially being delayed from playing with the team due to visa restrictions, but quickly came into his own with the club, even finding the back of the net and earning USL League One Team of the Week honors.
Roster Update
Staying on current deal: Kaelon Fox, Ates Diouf
Options exercised: Tate Robertson, Nico Brown
New contracts: Austin Causey, Amal Knight, Kimball Jackson, Khalid Balogun, Erick Ceja Gonzalez, Pierre Mané
About Lexington Sporting Club
Lexington Sporting Club is a U.S. Soccer professional soccer club competing in USL League One (U.S. Soccer third division men’s professional soccer), and in USL Super League (women’s professional soccer launching in 2024). The two professional teams are the pinnacle of the soccer ecosystem in Lexington that features more than 1,400 players within its youth and academy systems. Lexington SC in the process of building the club’s formal stadium, performance center and training fields.