Phoenix Rising signs forward Seyi Adekoya, goalkeeper Edward Delgado

Phoenix Rising FC announced on Thursday the signing of forward Seyi Adekoya and goalkeeper Edward Delgado.

The additions come one day after PRFC acquired former FC Arizona and Valley native wingback Ryan Flood.

Adekoya, 25, is a Seattle native who spent three years playing in college at UCLA from 2014-16.

The forward then signed a homegrown player contract with MLS side Seattle Sounders FC prior to the 2017 campaign, where he would make two appearances.

Coincidentally, Phoenix Rising departs for Seattle on Saturday to play Sounders in a preseason friendly at Lumen Field on Sunday.

“Seyi is a powerful and a very fast forward who brings a different quality to our attack,” manager Rick Schantz said in a press release. “He has experience and is a wonderful person. I’m very happy to add him to our roster.”

Adekoya joined then-Danish Superliga side Vendsyssel FF in 2018, scoring five goals in 27 matches across all competitions.

He also spent time with Maltese first division side Balzan FC (one goal in five games) prior to returning to Denmark to play for Thisted last season (one goal and one assist in three appearances).

“I want to thank my family and friends for all the support and encouragement they’ve given me throughout the past year. It has meant the world to me,” Adekoya said in the release.

“Going abroad the past two years was very good for me. I was able to develop tactically. Players from Denmark are very focused on tactics from a young age. It helped me grow in ways I hadn’t been pushed before.”

Delgado, 23, stands at 6-foot-3 and is a California native having spent his youth days at Santa Barbara SC while also playing at Westmont College.

“Edward is a fantastic young goalkeeper,” Schantz said. “We have watched him for a couple years. He has very good feet and is a great shot-stopper. I expect to see him continue to develop immensely under (goalkeepers coach) Cory Robertson.”

The goalkeeper spent the 2020 USL Championship campaign with Las Vegas Lights FC, including being in net for the infamous 3-3 draw with Phoenix.

“I feel like I am taking a big jump in my career by joining Phoenix Rising,” Delgado said in the release. “This club is the standard in USL. It has proven to be a championship-level side.

“I feel blessed to have this opportunity. I’m excited to keep growing and learning. I’m a bit younger than Zac [Lubin] and Andre [Rawls] but that’s not an excuse. I’m here to compete and to make the team better.”

Both Adekoya and Delgado were brought in as trialists for PRFC’s 2021 preseason, which also marks the second consecutive day in which a trialist has been signed onto the roster.

“Phoenix is a high-level, talented team,” Adekoya said. “When I got the opportunity to come in for the trial, I was very excited.

“I knew I was joining a team that won the West last year, but it is a good fit. The style of play matches my own. I like to press and win the ball high up the field. It’s a perfect fit for the player I have become.”

Phoenix Rising now has 21 players signed to its roster ahead of the 2021 USLC campaign — not including academy contracts — which begins on April 30 against San Diego Loyal SC at Wild Horse Pass:

Goalkeepers: Zac Lubin, Andre Rawls and Edward Delgado

Fullbacks: Darnell King, Joey Calistri, Deklan Wynne, Jeremy Kelly and Ryan Flood

Center backs: Joey Farrell, Tobi Adewole and James Musa

Midfielders: Jon Bakero, Kevon Lambert, Aodhan Quinn and Arturo Rodriguez

Forwards: Solomon Asante, Rufat Dadashov, Santi Moar, Ivan Gutierrez, Prince Saydee and Seyi Adekoya

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