Phoenix Rising acquires striker Claudio Repetto from Charleston Battery

Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday announced the transfer of Italian striker Claudio Repetto from Charleston Battery.

The 25-year-old Italian has also signed a multi-year deal with PRFC.

Repetto was Charleston’s leading goalscorer last season, finding the back of the net nine times in 24 matches. He also notched three assists.

The 6-foot-3 striker scored two of those goals with his head, and fills the large target No. 9 that manager Rick Schantz prefers such as Rufat Dadashov, Adam Jahn, Didier Drogba and Chris Cortez (who returns to play vs. Phoenix on March 12).

“We are very excited to add Claudio to our team,” Schantz said in a press release. “His physical stature and goalscoring record will be very helpful to our style of play.

“Having a target forward with his size and work rate has always been important to our style of play. He gives us the ability to play different systems and possibly combine with a second forward. His play with his back to goal is very good. He is technically gifted and gives us a lot of optionality.”

Born in Italy, Repetto spent 10 years with Genoa’s youth academy from ages 7-17. The striker did not make any Serie A appearances from 2014-17, but was loaned out to three Serie D sides from ages 17-20.

Repetto spent the 2018 campaign with NPSL’s Med City (11 goals in 14 appearances) and 2019 season with USL League Two side Ocean City Nor’Easters where he scored eight goals and notched two assists in 13 matches.

He also attended Coastal Carolina from 2019-20, scoring seven goals and providing one assist in 29 games played.

“I know Phoenix Rising is a great organization – one that wants to win trophies,” Repetto said in the release. “That winning mentality is the reason why I wanted to go to Phoenix.

“I feel like I am at the right point in my career to start winning trophies. That’s the mentality I have now. I cannot wait to meet the guys, see the city and get to work.”

Phoenix Rising now has 23 players signed to its roster ahead of the 2022 USL Championship season:

Goalkeeper: Lalo Delgado, Ben Lundt

Fullbacks: Joey Calistri, Channing Chasten, Ryan Flood, Darnell King, Babou Njie

Center backs: Niall Dunn, Joe Farrell, Manuel Madrid, James Musa

Midfielders: Carlos Anguiano, Ivan Gutierrez, Kevon Lambert, Jonathan Levin, Aodhan Quinn, Arturo Rodriguez, Luis Seijas

Forwards: Richmond Antwi, Marcus Epps, Greg Hurst, Santi Moar, Claudio Repetto

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