Jacksonville Signs Goalkeeper Caleb Patterson-Sewell

The Jacksonville Armada FC announced today the signing of goalkeeper Caleb Patterson-Sewell.

“I would like to welcome Caleb and his family to the club, there has been a lot of work and patience for this deal to be made,” Jacksonville Technical Director Nathan Walter said. “We have a very specific profile we look for in a goalkeeper and Caleb was high on our target list. Caleb brings a huge character and presence to this back line and we look forward to seeing him in the Armada jersey this year."

The Armada obtained Patterson-Sewell from S.C. Farense, a Portuguese club in Faro of the Campeonato de Portugal. The 29-year-old goalkeeper joined the club in July 2016 and has since accumulated 1,170 minutes in 13 appearances.

Patterson-Sewell was born in Tennessee, but grew up playing soccer in Australia. His extensive youth career included time with the Toowoomba Raiders, Anderlecht, Sheffield Wednesday, and Liverpool. He made his professional debut in 2005 with the Toowoomba Raiders in the Brisbane Premier League and then moved the next year to Mt. Gravatt.

The goalkeeper found his way to the United States in 2007 when he signed with the USL Second Division team Cleveland City Stars in their inaugural season and helped the team qualify for the US Open Cup. In 2008 he went on trial with the New York Red Bulls in the MLS and signed with the team later that year.

Patterson-Sewell joined the Carolina Railhawks in the USL First Division in 2009 before spending a year with the Miami FC in the USSF Pro League in 2010. He totaled 28 appearances, including three cup appearances, with the team.

He had a second stint with the Railhawks in the NASL before moving overseas to play with the Liga de Honra club Atlético Clube de Portugal for the 2011–2012 season. He quickly became the team’s starting goalkeeper and made 29 total appearances. His performance with Atlético earned him a nomination for Goalkeeper of the Year at the 2012 Liga Portuguesa de Futebol Profissional Awards.

Patterson-Sewell moved on to play for Vitória Setúbal in the Primeira Liga in 2012 and then Gil Vicente in the second-tier LigaPro in 2013. After three seasons with Gil Vicente, he came back to the United Stated in 2016 to join Rayo OKC before being signed by Farense.

"My family and I are delighted to join the Armada and to return to the States after spending the last six months in Portugal," Patterson-Sewell said. "I am extremely excited to work under coach Mark Lowry and goalkeeper coach Daryl Sattler, who along with technical director Nathan Walter, made me feel welcomed during the recruitment process and made me want to join this project. 

"I want to thank each of them for their patience and persistent efforts to bring me on board. I cannot wait to meet my new teammates and the fans and integrate into the community and do my part to make the 2017 season a success."