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Orlando City B‘s 2017 roster was extended even further on Tuesday as Anthony Pulis’ Lions completed deals to sign English ace Paul Clowes, not to mention Ben Polk, Austin Martz and Jordan Schweitzer.
Pending full confirmation from both USL and U.S. Soccer, the foursome’s arrival at Orlando City Stadium follows the signatures of Zach Carroll, Scott Thomsen and Fernando Timbó last week.
The most eye-catching new arrival is certainly Manchester-born Clowes who actually previously represented Orlando City SC in their Under-23 ranks between 2013 and 2014.
A 32nd overall pick for D.C. United in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, the 22-year-old still awaits his Major League Soccer debut but boasts crucial USL experience having made 15 appearances for Charlotte Independence last season.
Orlando City UK are delighted to see another Brit in the Orlando City SC organisation after both Seb Hines and Luke Boden were initially cut from the 2016 roster last month.
Clowes couldn’t hide his delight at returning to Central Florida, tweeting yesterday…
Delighted to be back wearing @OrlandoCityB colors in 2017! Great place, great fans, and great things to come. #VamosOrlando ⚽️? pic.twitter.com/I5WPA4bswg
— Paul Clowes (@paulclowes6) December 6, 2016
Elsewhere, another British ace (well, kind of!) Ben Polk joins Orlando City B having previously been a 20th overall pick for Portland Timbers in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft.
Born in Phoenix, Arizona to an American father and English mother, the 24-year-old was a prolific goalscorer in his college career, bagging a whopping 46 goals in 34 appearances for Herkimer Generals between 2013 and 2014.
As for Austin Martz, his three-year professional career to date has even taken him to the Maltese Premier League whereby the winger represented Pembroke Athleta a year ago.
Excellent at taking on opposition full back’s according to Anthony Pulis, Martz joins the Lions with a healthy reputation for contributing goals from the flank.
And last but not least, Jordan Schweitzer was a man in demand this off-season with Pulis having claimed Orlando City B fought off competition from many different clubs to land the deep-lying midfielder this winter.
A mainstay in Seattle Sounders 2’s starting eleven last term, Schweitzer is a combative professional who also possesses a keen eye for an intricate pass.
Paul Clowes
Position(s): Central Midfield
Nationality: England
Hometown: Manchester
Date of Birth: 27/12/1993
Height: 5 ft 9 in
Former Clubs: Orlando City U23, D.C. United, Richmond Kickers (Loan), Charlotte Independence
Twitter: @PaulClowes6
What Pulis said…
Austin Martz
Position(s): Right Wing
Nationality: United States
Hometown: Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Date of Birth: 31/05/1992
Height: 5 ft 8 in
Former Clubs: Baltimore Bohemians, Pembroke Athleta, Wilmington Hammerheads
Twitter: @TinyTimothy2
What Pulis said…
Ben Polk
Position(s): Striker
Nationality: England
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona, (United States)
Date of Birth: 19/09/1992
Height: 5 ft 9 in
Former Clubs: Banbury United, Bedworth United (Loan), K-W United, Portland Timbers, Portland Timbers 2 (Loan)
Twitter: @BenPolk8
What Pulis said…
Jordan Schweitzer
Position(s): Defensive Midfield
Nationality: United States
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Date of Birth: 19/04/1994
Height: 6 ft 0 in
Former Clubs: Seattle Sounders U23, Seattle Sounders 2
Twitter: @PapaSchweitz23
What Pulis said…
And one final thing…
Before we finish, shout out to new boy Paul Clowes, not to mention fellow Brit and Orlando City B captain Lewis Neal who both followed us on Twitter recently!
Keep on proudly reppin’ the United Kingdom across the pond!