FORMER SLIGO ROVERS midfielder Richie Ryan is staying in the North American Soccer League but is relocating to Florida.
The 30-year-old has left the Ottawa Fury and joined the Jacksonville Armada.
Ryan had been with the Canadian NASL team for the last two seasons, along with Corkman Colin Falvey, and captained them to the championship final last month where they suffered a 3-2 defeat to a Raul-inspired New York Cosmos.
After a terrific campaign, he was included in the NASL’s Team of the Season.
But, with Fury boss Marc dos Santos leaving the franchise after the game to take up a coaching role in Kansas City, Ryan felt it made sense to move also.
He joins an ever newer organisation.
Last year was the Armada’s first in the league, which is considered the second tier of soccer in North America, and they finished bottom of the overall standings.
But changes have occurred since the campaign wrapped up – namely the appointment of Tony Meola, the former US goalkeeper, as the new coach.
Meanwhile Falvey, who enjoyed an excellent season with the Fury at the heart of their defence, is remaining in the Canadian capital having signed a contract extension earlier this year.
