The veteran player/coach continues role on a new multi-year extension
RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce Akira Fitzgerald has signed a new multi-year extension to continue his role as both the Kickers’ goalkeeping coach and the team’s goalkeeper.
The 36-year-old continues as the Kickers’ longest-tenured player after initially signing for the club ahead of the 2019 USL League One season.
Since signing for the Kickers, Fitzgerald won 2021 USL League One Goalkeeper of the Year honors, was named a finalist for Goalkeeper of the Year in 2019 and 2022, set the new single-season record for saves in a season (105), and became the first player in USL League One history to make 100 regular-season appearances.
Fitzgerald continues his duties as the team’s goalkeeping coach after assuming the role ahead of the 2021 season. Under his tutelage, multiple players developed to make a greater impact in Richmond or elsewhere.
Will Palmquist stepped into a more prominent role between the pipes this season, starting six of seven regular-season appearances while maintaining three clean sheets and posting a nearly 72 percent save percentage. Eli Mumford earned an athletic scholarship in June 2023 to the University of Pittsburgh’s Division I men’s soccer team after developing in Richmond on a USL Academy contract from the beginning of the 2022 season. The team then signed 17-year-old James Sneddon in June 2023 to a USL Academy contract from Richmond United, and he serves as the third keeper on the Kickers’ roster.
Additionally, former Kickers’ keeper Austin Causey earned his professional debut with the Kickers during the 2022 season before signing with fellow USL League One club, Lexington SC, and making multiple starts.
Akira Fitzgerald said:
“I am so excited and grateful to continue my career in Richmond. My family and I have loved being a part of the Richmond community for five years and are so excited to continue to grow here for the years to come. I am so proud of what we have built here and I look forward to continuing that development and bringing more trophies to this club that I love so much.”
“I have been so fortunate that Coach Sawatzky trusted me to run our goalkeeping department and with that added responsibility it has really allowed me to grow as a player, teammate, and coach. By being focused on more than just myself, I believe it has raised my playing level while also bringing along the goalkeepers in our group each and every season. I’ve enjoyed every moment of the role and I get so much joy from seeing the growth of our goalkeepers and love seeing them be successful.”
“There are so many reasons why I wanted to re-sign with the Kickers but one of the biggest has to be our fans. The unwavering support they have shown me and the team during my time here is inspirational and all I want to do is give them my very best every time I am lucky enough to step onto the field at City Stadium. We will continue to fight for the badge and I look forward to lifting more trophies in front of them!”
Darren Sawatzky, Richmond Kickers’ Head Coach and Chief Sporting Officer said:
“Akira has been a staple here in Richmond for the past five seasons. He and his family are now synonymous with class and with the character we look for in players and representatives of our club. He is playing at a high level and he is paramount to the success we have both had and are working to maintain. The real beauty in his re-signing is that goalkeepers get better with time, and Akira has proven this yet again.”
“Akira’s work over the past couple years as the goalkeeper coach with the Richmond Kickers has helped garner a USL League One goalkeeper playing minutes at another club, a Division 1 college goalkeeper at a highly-ranked school, and a counterpart in Will Palmquist who has played important minutes for us this year in goal. His growth as a coach and his consistent playing level make him a no-brainer to secure for the future. We are very happy that he is with the Richmond Kickers family for years to come.”
Mika Elovaara, Richmond Kickers’ Head Assistant Coach and Director of Methodology and Player Development said:
“Re-signing Akira is a crucial piece for the whole RVA soccer community to continue to keep getting better. He is a top-level modern goalkeeper, and for the young goalkeepers to be able to watch him every week is an inspiration; Akira is the perfect role model for what they should aspire to become. The fact that he will work with some of the local talent as a goalkeeper coach only further reinforces his significant influence to the development of young players, not just goalkeepers, in our community. Personally, I am also grateful and thrilled that I get to continue to work with him in his dual roles. He is a passionate student of the game and an absolute pleasure to coach.”
The Kickers return home on Wednesday, August 30th to host Central Valley Fuego FC on RVA Community Night presented by Broadbent Selections. The doors at City Stadium are set to open at 5:45 p.m. ahead of the 7 p.m. kickoff. Tickets are available at richmondkickers.com/tickets.
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TRANSACTION: Richmond Kickers sign Akira Fitzgerald to a new multi-year extension on August 17, 2023.
