RailHawks Re-Sign Goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald

The RailHawks have announced that they have re-signed goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald for the remainder of the 2015 Season. Fitzgerald was on loan from MLS’ New York City FC and excelled in his three matches with the RailHawks in the 2015 NASL Spring Season.

“We are thrilled to re-sign Akira,” said RailHawks President Curt Johnson. “He has been one of the key players for our organization in many of our brightest moments.”

Fitzgerald logged 270 minutes in the spring season, playing all 90 minutes in the three matches he was active. The RailHawks won two of these matches and tied 1-1 in the other as Fitzgerald kept two clean sheets and only allowed one goal in three games. His stellar performance in a 1-0 road win against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers on May 23rd earned him a spot on the NASL team of the week.

Fitzgerald first joined the RailHawks as a member of the RailHawks U-23 Program before signing his first professional contract in July of 2011. During his four seasons with the RailHawks, he has appeared i 51 matches, and logged 4,590 minutes.

Fitzgerald played his collegiate soccer at Wake Forest University, where he started 69 out of 71 matches. He logged nearly 6,300 minutes with the Demon Deacons. He finished his collegiate career ranked third in school history in career goals against average (0.83), fourth in saves (237), third in save percentage (.803) and second in minutes played (6,296).

Fitzgerald joined MLS’ New York City FC on Dec. 11, 2014. The 27-year-old made two appearances for the Club during their first-ever preseason; he came on as a second-half substitute in the 2-0 win over St. Mirren on February 10th and started against the Houston Dynamo in the Carolina Challenge Cup on February 24th.

The RailHawks also announced that defender Austen King returned to the team from his loan at Louisville City, after spending four months with the USL side. King logged 214 minutes in six games and scored one goal during his time at Louisville. Lastly, the club announced that forward Dzenan Catic has been recalled by the Philadelphia Union.

Fitzgerald and the RailHawks will take on Minnesota United FC to kickoff the second leg of the season on July 4th at 5:00 pm at WakeMed Soccer Park.