F.C Cincinnati announced today that they have signed veteran defender Ray Gaddis ahead of the 2022 MLS Season. Gaddis joins F.C Cincinnati alongside former Union technical director Pat Noonan who is now the head coach for the club.

Ray Gaddis’ contract goes thru 2023 and has an option for the 2024 season. He announced his retirement after the 2020 season but has decided to make his return to the MLS with a new club for the 2022 season.

In his time with the Union, Gaddis spent 19,000 MLS minutes in 225 appearances. He was the 35th overall pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft and played a vital role in the club’s defensive line.

After retiring, Gaddis continued to help out youth soccer in his hometown. Last year, he helped unveil a mini-pitch at Oscar Charleston Park in Indy. This mini-pitch provides a safe place to play and features colorful murals celebrating the contributions of African Americans.

Gaddis was also a founding member of MLS’ Black Players for Change in 2020 and is a key member of the Black Players Coalition.

F.C Cincinnati and general manager Pat Noonan are ecstatic to have Gaddis join the club. Here’s what he had to say following the breaking news. 

“When Ray stepped away from the game a year ago, he was arguably playing at the highest level of his career, he’s a lockdown defender and with the ability to play both outside back positions. His character and leadership are second-to-none, and he will be an excellent addition to the group.”

In December, the United Soccer Coaches announced that Gaddis was selected for the Jerry Yeagley Award for Exceptional Personal Achievement winner. He will be honored on January 21. The award is named after the well known Indiana University men’s soccer coach and is presented annually to a former collegiate soccer student-athlete

Unfortunately, Gaddis did not come out of retirement to play for the Union, but it will be nice to see him out on the field again. Cincinnati is looking for all the help they can get as they have yet to make the playoffs and are on their sixth coaching hire in only four seasons. 

Mandatory Credit: AP Photo/Matt Slocum