FC Tucson increased its firing power for 2022 with the signing of forward Yuki Shibata.
The club announced Wednesday the signing of 24-year-old Shibata, who previously played with Stumptown AC of the NISA in Matthews, North Carolina.
“I’m very excited to join FC Tucson,” said Shibata. “I’m looking forward to meeting the fans and giving my all this year.”
Some words from our new winger! pic.twitter.com/amf9U3CPuo
— FC Tucson (@FCTucson) March 16, 2022
During the 2021 NISA Fall Season, he made seven appearances and scored two goals.
The Japanese native played with a variety of clubs including FK Ibar Rožaje in Montenegro and CD La Granja in Spain. He scored one goal in the Montenegro Cup for FK Ibar and two goals for La Granja.
He scored FC Tucson’s second goal in its 2-1 win over Grand Canyon University this past Saturday.
And another.
— FC Tucson (@FCTucson) March 12, 2022
Nice 🧵 through the defense & "Trialist 3" tucks it inside near post from a tight amgle.
2-0 just 5 minutes before the half. pic.twitter.com/tmTZ5jOBSB
“He is truly the consummate professional and represents everything we want in that wing position,” FC Tucson Head Coach Jon Pearlman said. “He’s an incredible teammate, has an incredible work rate and attitude and he’s somebody that will be a huge asset to our team in the locker room and on the field.”
Shibata is the 24th player on FC Tucson’s 2022 roster. He joins six returning starters from the 2021 playoff team, including forwards Gio Calixtro and Deri Corfe.
The signing is pending league and federation approval.
