Jacksonville Armada FC Announces Initial Roster Moves

Jacksonville Armada FC has announced that Bryan Burke, Kevan George, Nicklas Maripuu, Danny Barrow, Jemal Johnson, Derek Gebhard, and Charles Eloundou will be returning for the 2017 season.

“We began to establish a very distinctive style of play in the last 14 games of the 2016 season,” Jacksonville coach Mark Lowry said. “Keeping this group of players, with this ability and understanding of the way we play, will help us build on that foundation for 2017.”

Defender Bryan Burke played 20 games logging 1,624 minutes with the Armada FC in 2016. He completed 607 passes, sent 77 crosses, and created 19 scoring chances.

Kevan George clocked 2,401 minutes and started in 27 games. The midfielder completed 1,152 passes, creating 13 chances for scoring. He totaled 50 clearances, six blocks, and intercepted 81 passes.

Forward Danny Barrow made 14 appearances for the Armada FC last season and was named to the NASL Team of the Week two weeks in a row.

Midfielder Nicklas Maripuu came to Jacksonville from Swedish club IK Sirius in June 2016. He started in 14 of the 15 games he played for Armada FC. He maintained an 89.6 percent passing accuracy and created 11 chances to score.

“We had some great progress and played fantastic soccer in the last part of the 2016 season,” Maripuu said. “I can't wait to continue to build on that and play in front of the Armada fans again."

In his second season with the Armada FC, forward Jemal Johnson started in 18 of the 24 games he played and totaled 1,506 minutes. He scored  two goals after taking 27 shots and putting nine on target. He finished with a team-high four assists and was named to the NASL Team of the Week twice.

Forward Derek Gebhard earned two assists in his 12 appearances. His final assist led to the Armada FC victory over the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the last home game of 2016.

Charles Eloundou played in 29 of the 32 total games Armada FC played in 2016 and clocked 1,729 minutes on the field. The forward took 61 total shots, with 27 shots on target, and was tied for a team-high six goals. He made the NASL Team of the Week twice and was nominated several times for NASL Play of the Week.

“We are very happy to bring back a core group of players for the 2017 season who will help the new additions settle in to the culture of the club,” Technical Director Nathan Walter said.