Wilmington Hammerheads News Release -- www.wilmingtonhammerheads.com
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
WILMINGTON, N.C. – With the 2013 USL PRO regular season right around the corner, the Wilmington Hammerheads have announced the addition of two returning players, midfielder Daniel Roberts and defender Christian Davidson. Both former athletes at the University North Carolina Wilmington, the duo will continue their careers in the same community that has watched them develop and succeed as players.
Wilmington Hammerheads head coach David Irving feels strongly about watching UNCW athletes progress and transition into the professional ranks within Wilmington. “I feel it is important to keep UNCW players after they graduate to play with the Hammerheads,” said Irving. “Overall, it shows their strong commitment to the community and their fans.”
For those that know the Hammerheads best, many will say Roberts and Davidson, although they are individuals, are a package deal when it comes to soccer - their experience playing on the pitch with one another over the years serves as a double-threat to the opposition. Irving first signed Roberts and Davidson for their debut USL PRO season in 2012.
“I am glad that we are able to bring back Daniel and Christian this season,” said Irving. “Both were unfortunate in the past with injuries. Now, injury-free, they will be real assets to the team.”
Roberts, whom suffered a hamstring injury during the 2012 preseason that carried on into the start of the regular season, is looking to start off his 2013 season on a more positive condition.
“I am excited to be returning for my second year with the Hammerheads,” Roberts said. “I am very thankful again for the opportunity and I am really looking forward to the season ahead. We hope to build on last year’s success and look forward to performing well in front of the best fans in the league.”
Davidson traveled to Scotland after the finish of the 2013 season for international experience with Celtic during the offseason.
Davidson and Roberts’ former men’s soccer coach at UNCW, Aidan Heaney, is especially excited to see both players remain in Wilmington.
“I am delighted that Daniel and Christian have re-signed with the Hammerheads,” said Heaney. “They are two great signings as they are both talented players – Daniel is technically superb, with wonderful passing ability and vision….very creative. Christian is a strong defender, who has the ability to play with both feet, is supremely fit and is coming off a stint overseas with Celtic in Scotland. Talent is obviously the main characteristic of top players, but both these guys possess the intangibles of strong character, dedication and determination to play at the professional level.”
For further information about the upcoming 2013 season, please contact the Wilmington Hammerheads at (910)777-2111 or www.wilmingtonhammerheads.com.