SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sacramento Republic FC has announced the signing of Welsh midfielder Chad Bond, Northern Irish forward Thomas Stewart, Montenegrin defender Nemanja Vuković and English defender Jack Lane, pending league approval.
Bond played for Port Talbot Town, a Welsh Premier League club, prior to joining Republic FC. Bond appeared in 14 matches for Port Talbot Town over a two-year span, scoring four goals. Bond has had two stints with English Premier League club Swansea City from 2003-2005 and then again from 2008-2010. He has also been a part of the Wales U-17 and U-19 teams. Bond, also an 11-year veteran, has appeared in more than140 career matches scoring 31 goals.
Vuković comes to Republic FC from FK Mladost Podgorica, a top-tier club in his hometown of Podgorica, Montenegro. Prior to playing for FK Mladost, Vuković was a member of MLS club, Columbus Crew, where he appeared in 15 matches recording two assists. Vuković brings 11 years of experience to Republic FC appearing in more than 130 matches in his career.
Stewart comes to Republic FC from Shamrock Rovers FC, a Premier Division club in Ireland. Stewart has had two stints with Shamrock Rovers appearing in 32 matches and scoring 10 goals in 2010 and then appearing in 42 matches from 2012-2013 scoring 11 goals. In his eight-year career Stewart has appeared in 180 matches, scoring 51 goals.
Lane comes to Republic FC after playing last year for the Ventura County Fusion. Lane started his career in Cheshire, England playing for for Macclesfield Town FC. Lane has also played for Salford City FC.
“The players will be an integral part of the club Preki is putting together,” said Sacramento Republic FC Technical Director Graham Smith.
The Republic kick off their inaugural season in USL PRO on Saturday, March 29 as they visit the LA Galaxy II at the StubHub Center at 7:30 p.m. PT. The team's home opener is set for Saturday, April 26 at Hughes Stadium against the Harrisburg City Islanders, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. PT.