CARY, N.C. – Carolina RailHawks captain Brad Rusin will transfer to HB Køge of the Danish Superliga (Denmark’s top league), pending the finalization of his player registration and international transfer clearance.
Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Rusin, a 6-foot-4-inch defender, spent two-plus seasons with the RailHawks. He appeared in a total of 54 matches and played 4,005 minutes and scored two goals.
“We are thrilled for Brad and appreciative of the job he has done on and off the field for the RailHawks organization,” said Carolina President Curt Johnson. “This is a fantastic opportunity for him and we wish him all the best. Developing players is an important part of our on-field success and our business model. Selling them is a difficult but necessary part of the process at times. We are more committed than ever to bringing an NASL championship to the Triangle, and I am confident our players and coaches are up for the challenge that lies ahead in the second half of the season.”
Rusin was in the midst of a tremendous season with the RailHawks in 2011. Named team captain in the offseason, he appeared in 12 matches, played 1,080 minutes and scored one goal. His presence in the middle of the backline helped the RailHawks post a league-leading 0.786 goals against average and five shutouts, and he was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Week three times.
“Over the last few seasons, Brad developed a lot as a player,” said RailHawks coach Martin Rennie. “The potential he showed when he first joined our club is about to come to fruition. He’s going to play in one of the top leagues in Europe, and we’re looking forward to watching his career progress from afar. I’m excited to see where he’ll go. We wish him all the best and expect him to do quite well.”
HB Køge pursued Rusin last summer but a deal could not be reached before the end of the international transfer window in August. HB Køge’s loss proved to be a big gain for the RailHawks. Rusin played all but two minutes of the RailHawks six-game postseason run to the championship series, and he scored the first goal of his professional career in the second leg of the semifinals against Montreal.
“Over the last two and a half years I have grown tremendously as a player and have gained valuable experience,” said Rusin, who began his professional career with the RailHawks in 2009 after a standout collegiate career at UCLA. “I would like to thank all of my teammates and coaches, past and present, for making this opportunity a reality. Without them this would not be possible. Last but not least, I want to thank the fans for such quality support throughout my time in Carolina. You guys deserve nothing less than a championship this year and I know the guys will get it done.”
HB Køge spent the 2010-11 season in Denmark’s second tier. After a runner-up finish in the table, they were promoted to Denmark’s top flight. Rusin will be one of six American-born players who will play in Denmark in the upcoming European season, and one of five who will play in the Superliga.
RailHawks goalkeeper Caleb Patterson is also on his way to Europe. He has will transfer to Atlético Clube de Portugal, which plays in Portugal’s second division, pending the finalization of his player registration and international transfer clearance.
Patterson did not see any time with the RailHawks in 2011. However, he enjoyed his best season as a professional with Carolina in 2009. That season, he went 7-3-5 in league play and posted a 0.53 goals against average, which still stands as a club record. He also had 10 shutouts. He spent the 2010 season with Miami FC.
“It was great to have the opportunity to return to Carolina this season, and I want to thank the team and all the fans for their exceptional support,” Patterson said. “I’m thrilled to have this opportunity in Portugal, but I will always be grateful for my time with the RailHawks.”
Patterson has spent his professional career in the United States, but he’s no stranger to Europe. In 2004, he played for the Belgian club Anderlecht’s reserve squad. And he also spent time in the youth academies at England’s Sheffield Wednesday and Liverpool.
AC Portugal pursued Patterson last summer, but like Rusin, a deal could not be reached before the end of the international transfer window.
“Caleb is an excellent young goalkeeper and his future is very bright,” Rennie said. “He was excellent to have in the squad, and he did a lot of work in the community, too. We look forward to following his success overseas in the years to come.”
With Patterson’s exit, the RailHawks have signed former Wake Forest goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald played for the Demon Deacons from 2007-10 and was a part of their 2007 national championship team. The starter during his final three years, Fitzgerald finished his career with a record of 46-15-7, a 0.83 goals against average and 26 shutouts.
Halfway through the 2011 season, the RailHawks are 12-1-1 and lead the NASL table by 13 points. They kick off the second half of the season on Saturday in Blaine, Minn., against Minnesota at 8:30 p.m. EST. The RailHawks return to WakeMed Soccer Park on July 23, when they meet FC Edmonton at 7 p.m.
CARY, N.C. – Carolina RailHawks captain Brad Rusin will transfer to HB Køge of the Danish Superliga (Denmark’s top league), pending the finalization of his player registration and international transfer clearance.
Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Rusin, a 6-foot-4-inch defender, spent two-plus seasons with the RailHawks. He appeared in a total of 54 matches and played 4,005 minutes and scored two goals.
“We are thrilled for Brad and appreciative of the job he has done on and off the field for the RailHawks organization,” said Carolina President Curt Johnson. “This is a fantastic opportunity for him and we wish him all the best. Developing players is an important part of our on-field success and our business model. Selling them is a difficult but necessary part of the process at times. We are more committed than ever to bringing an NASL championship to the Triangle, and I am confident our players and coaches are up for the challenge that lies ahead in the second half of the season.”
Rusin was in the midst of a tremendous season with the RailHawks in 2011. Named team captain in the offseason, he appeared in 12 matches, played 1,080 minutes and scored one goal. His presence in the middle of the backline helped the RailHawks post a league-leading 0.786 goals against average and five shutouts, and he was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Week three times.
“Over the last few seasons, Brad developed a lot as a player,” said RailHawks coach Martin Rennie. “The potential he showed when he first joined our club is about to come to fruition. He’s going to play in one of the top leagues in Europe, and we’re looking forward to watching his career progress from afar. I’m excited to see where he’ll go. We wish him all the best and expect him to do quite well.”
HB Køge pursued Rusin last summer but a deal could not be reached before the end of the international transfer window in August. HB Køge’s loss proved to be a big gain for the RailHawks. Rusin played all but two minutes of the RailHawks six-game postseason run to the championship series, and he scored the first goal of his professional career in the second leg of the semifinals against Montreal.
“Over the last two and a half years I have grown tremendously as a player and have gained valuable experience,” said Rusin, who began his professional career with the RailHawks in 2009 after a standout collegiate career at UCLA. “I would like to thank all of my teammates and coaches, past and present, for making this opportunity a reality. Without them this would not be possible. Last but not least, I want to thank the fans for such quality support throughout my time in Carolina. You guys deserve nothing less than a championship this year and I know the guys will get it done.”
HB Køge spent the 2010-11 season in Denmark’s second tier. After a runner-up finish in the table, they were promoted to Denmark’s top flight. Rusin will be one of six American-born players who will play in Denmark in the upcoming European season, and one of five who will play in the Superliga.
RailHawks goalkeeper Caleb Patterson is also on his way to Europe. He has will transfer to Atlético Clube de Portugal, which plays in Portugal’s second division, pending the finalization of his player registration and international transfer clearance.
Patterson did not see any time with the RailHawks in 2011. However, he enjoyed his best season as a professional with Carolina in 2009. That season, he went 7-3-5 in league play and posted a 0.53 goals against average, which still stands as a club record. He also had 10 shutouts. He spent the 2010 season with Miami FC.
“It was great to have the opportunity to return to Carolina this season, and I want to thank the team and all the fans for their exceptional support,” Patterson said. “I’m thrilled to have this opportunity in Portugal, but I will always be grateful for my time with the RailHawks.”
Patterson has spent his professional career in the United States, but he’s no stranger to Europe. In 2004, he played for the Belgian club Anderlecht’s reserve squad. And he also spent time in the youth academies at England’s Sheffield Wednesday and Liverpool.
AC Portugal pursued Patterson last summer, but like Rusin, a deal could not be reached before the end of the international transfer window.
“Caleb is an excellent young goalkeeper and his future is very bright,” Rennie said. “He was excellent to have in the squad, and he did a lot of work in the community, too. We look forward to following his success overseas in the years to come.”
With Patterson’s exit, the RailHawks have signed former Wake Forest goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald played for the Demon Deacons from 2007-10 and was a part of their 2007 national championship team. The starter during his final three years, Fitzgerald finished his career with a record of 46-15-7, a 0.83 goals against average and 26 shutouts.
Halfway through the 2011 season, the RailHawks are 12-1-1 and lead the NASL table by 13 points. They kick off the second half of the season on Saturday in Blaine, Minn., against Minnesota at 8:30 p.m. EST. The RailHawks return to WakeMed Soccer Park on July 23, when they meet FC Edmonton at 7 p.m.
