March 24, 2015

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Former South Carolina defender Braeden Troyer signed his first professional contract today, joining the Richmond Kickers in the United Soccer League for the upcoming 2015-16 season.

Troyer earned All-Conference USA accolades all four years at South Carolina, where he started every match he played in his career. The Columbia, S.C., native also captured a spot on the Capital One Academic All-America first team in 2014 as well as making the 2014 Conference USA All-Tournament Team. Three times, Troyer claimed placement on the CoSIDA Academic All-District 4 squad, while he has four Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll certificates to go with three C-USA Academic Medals so far.

The 58th Gamecock to play professionally after completing his time at South Carolina, Troyer continues the long tradition of Gamecock standouts moving onto the next level (full list here) under the only coach in program history, Mark Berson.

The Richmond Kickers finished third in the USL in 2014-15 and begin their 2015-16 season this Saturday at the Wilmington Hammerheads. They have an affiliation agreement with D.C. United of Major League Soccer.

“Braeden is a great addition to our squad, as he is comfortable playing anywhere across the back line,” commented Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Director of Soccer. “He has excellent 1v1 defensive skills and very composed on the ball. We expect him to compete immediately for a starting position on the team.”

South Carolina finished 2014 in the finals of the Conference USA Tournament, ending the year with a 10-10 mark.