Four Players Return to Armada FC for 2018

The Jacksonville Armada FC announced on Wednesday that Kalen Ryden, Ciarán Kilduff, J.C. Banks, and Derek Gebhard would be returning to the team for the 2018 season.

“We are happy and excited for these four players to return to the team this year,” said Club President and General Manager Nathan Walter. “We have a lot of work to do in 2018 and know they will take us where we need to be.”

Ryden was a new signing in 2017 and fell into place quickly on the backline. The defender started 31 matches and had the second-most minutes with 2,774. He showed diversity on the field with four assists and one goal.

Kilduff came to Jacksonville for the 2017 NASL Fall Season from Dundalk F.C. of the League of Ireland Premier Division. After an extensive career in Ireland including eight goals in 2017 alone, he continued his success stateside with four goals for the Armada FC in 12 appearances and earned a NASL Player of the Week honor.

Banks also was a new addition in 2017, and stood out as a versatile midfielder from the start. He scored the first goal for the Armada FC in the home opener on April 2. Banks appeared in all 32 matches and went on to score four more goals and tack on one assist. He also earned a NASL Play of the Week honor.

Gebhard has been with the Armada FC since its inaugural year in 2015. The Jacksonville native came up through the U-23 team, then-called Jacksonville United, before joining the senior club. He showed his attacking prowess in all 32 matches of last year’s campaign by creating 15 chances and notching 4 goals.

Nine players will not return for the 2018 season: Devon Fisher, Bryam Rebellón, Peabo Doue, Brian Shriver, Jemal Johnson, Kevan George, Charles Eloundou, Nicklas Maripuu, and Zach Steinberger.

The Armada FC would like to thank the players for their time with the club and success in their future endeavors.

More announcements about the 2018 season will be released in the coming weeks.