The Union Berlin Academy product brings experience from USL Championship, USL League One, and USL League Two
RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce the signing of midfielder Adrian Billhardt, pending league and federation approval.
Billhardt joins the Kickers after playing for USL Championship club Detroit City FC during the 2023 season. The Berlin, Germany native earned a move to the higher division after a sensational 2022 with rivals South Georgia Tormenta FC that ended with raising the USL League One Final trophy.
The 26-year-old has proven in the early start of his professional career that he is a creative midfielder capable of playing forward or using his quickness to attack from the right wing. Billhardt is comfortable making late runs to receive the ball in scoring positions and has a dangerous left foot to convert chances.
Billhardt made 13 appearances for DCFC, finishing with the third-highest passing accuracy amongst midfielders (79.7 percent) and creating nine chances. While with Le Rouge, he played alongside current Kickers goalkeeper Ryan Shellow.
Following a season-ending injury in 2021, Billhardt put together an All-League-worthy season for Tormenta. He played in all 33 of Tormenta’s matches, starting 28, while recording 2,267 minutes played which ranked fifth on the team. In the attack, Billhardt pulled the strings, creating 55 chances which ranked first on the team while tying for the team lead in assists with five and finishing third on the team with five goals scored.
At the end of the 2022 USL League One season, Billhardt was awarded the inaugural Comeback Player of the Year award.
Billhardt played college soccer at the University of South Florida where he amassed 42 starts in 49 matches played from 2017-2019 while scoring 11 goals and assisting 11 more. He broke out as a true freshman in 2017, leading the Bulls in points and earning American Athletic Conference (AAC) Rookie of the Year and First Team All-Conference honors. In his junior year in 2019, Billhardt led the Bulls in goals and points as he earned Second Team All-Conference and United Soccer Coaches All-East Region Third Team.
In the Summer of 2019, Billhardt played with South Georgia Tormenta FC 2 in USL League Two. He scored nine goals in 15 appearances as the club won the Deep South Division and finished as national semi-finalists.
Adrian Billhardt said:
“I’ve known Darren for years now and I like his possession style of play, the way he organizes the team, and his passion for the sport. Once I heard about his interest and the idea he has of me within his system, I knew I’d fit right in and that we’ll have a successful season.
“I’ve played against Richmond for two years and always liked playing in City Stadium. The fans, the atmosphere, the grass pitch, you couldn’t ask for anything else. Richmond has always been a top team which made the encounters super intense. I’m beyond excited to experience the gameday atmosphere from the other side now and become closer with the fans.
“I can’t wait to get started, to be integrated with the team, and to meet the fans. I think there’s a lot of potential in this team so I think everyone within and outside of the organization can be excited for what’s to come this season.”
Darren Sawatzky, Richmond Kickers’ Head Coach and Chief Sporting Officer said:
“Adrian is a very dangerous attacking player with the ability to take players on, get behind defenses on the run, and create chances from different parts of the field. His no-nonsense approach to individual duals along with his personality in connecting with quality players in possession fits well with our approach to the game. We look forward to watching Adrian smash a worm-burner or two into the onion bag at City Stadium.”
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TRANSACTION: Adrian Billhardt signs with the Richmond Kickers on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024.
