Phoenix FC News Release -- www.phoenixfc.com
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
PHOENIX -- In time for the February 11 opening of pre-season training camp, Phoenix FC has signed several players to the club’s roster. The newly signed players, pending USSF approval, are defenders Renan Felipe Boufleur, Cyprian Hedrick and Scott Morrison and midfielders Joao Inacio de Jesus Cerqueria and Anthony Obodai.
A former MLS SuperDraft pick of Sporting Kansas City, Hedrick is a professional soccer player originally born in Duala, Cameroon who began his U.S. career in 2008 at San Jacinto College. Hedrick played for the Fresno Fuego in the PDL before joining Coastal Carolina University for the 2009 season.
Between 2009 and 2001, Hedrick appeared in 59 games for Coastal Carolina, recording six goals and one assist from his defensive position. He enjoyed a standout senior season, starting all 22 matches for the Chanticleers and helping record seven shutouts as the team went 18-4-0 and reached the second round of the 2011 NCAA Tournament before falling to eventual champions, University of North Carolina.
Hedrick was selected to the 2011 NCAA Men’s Division I All-South Atlantic Team by the NSCAA and First Team All-Big South. He also earned Big South Defensive Player of the Year honors and was named to the 2011 NSCAA Men’s Collegiate Scholar All-American first
team.
Born in Itapiranga, Brazil, Renan Felipe Boufleur began playing soccer professionally in 2008 with the renowned Brazilian soccer club, Santos FC. Following a season with Belgium’s RSC Anderlecht in 2009, Boufler joined another Belgian club, Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.
Joao Inacio de Jesus Cerqueria, who goes by the nickname Netinho, is also a native of Brazil, having played with renowned Brazilian soccer club, Santos FC since he was 14 years old. Just 19 years old, the 5-foot-4 four midfielder is expected to bring attacking flair to the Wolves.
"With Boufleur, Netinho and Cyprian, we fulfill our goal of adding young, promising talent to our roster and all of us are looking forward to seeing these guys on the pitch at training camp," said Managing Director Rui Filipe Bento.
Born in Aberdeen, Scotland, Scott Morrison attended Robert Gordon’s College in Aberdeen before leaving in 2001. As a childhood fan of Aberdeen, Morrison was thrilled to begin his playing career with the club in 2003, where he immediately impressed on the field. Morrison is known particularly for his lethal ball delivery from set pieces.
Morrison moved to Dunfermline Athletic in 2005, signing with Jim Leishman in May on a free transfer. After three years with the Pars, Morrison was snapped up by Ross County on a two-year precontract deal at the start of April 2008. Morrison helped Ross County win the 2011-12 Scottish First Division.
A native of Ghana, Obodai began playing soccer early in life and would eventually go on to play as an amateur during the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championships and the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championships. He also earned four senior caps for Ghana between 2003 and 2005.
Obodai’s professional career began in 2000 with the local Ghana team, Liberty Professionals. He later signed with Dutch team Ajax in 2001, playing on loan for the Belgian team, Germinal Beerschot during the 2002–03 season. In August of 2005, Obodai signed with Sparta Rotterdam. Obodai was made club captain at Sparta, but left the club in January of 2007 to play for RKC Waalwijk. During his time in Holland and Belgium, Obodai made nearly 200 appearances.
Obodai was signed by Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer in July of 2010, making four appearances during the season.
Head Coach David Robertson, an Aberdeen FC legend, tapped his resources to attract Morrison to play stateside.
"Both Morrison and Obodai have a wealth of experience playing international soccer that will benefit the club as a whole," Robertson said. "Obodai had a taste of MLS very recently with the Houston Dynamo and we expect both of them to excel because of their First Division playing experience in Europe. Also, pairing Morrison with Mackie will delight our fans."
These new additions join forwards Darren Mackie and Aaron King, midfielders Diego Faria and Reid Schmitt and defenders Devon Grousis and Brad Keller.