Want to tryout for the Wilmington Hammerheads?

WILMINGTON, NC( HAMMERHEADS) — Wilmington Hammerheads FC have announced that the club will host three professional open tryouts for the upcoming 2016 USL regular season. The tryout dates are January 30-31, 2016 and February 20-21, 2016 at Cape Fear Regional Soccer Park in Wilmington, North Carolina and February 6-7, 2016 at the Capelli Sport Center in Carlstadt, NJ.

These professional combines are great opportunities for potential players to showcase their abilities in front of new Head Coach Mark Briggs and other key decision makers for the Wilmington Hammerheads organization. Eligible college seniors, free agents and amateur players seeking a professional contract are welcome to register.

“We are excited for the combines this year,” said Coach Briggs. “Our combines are unique because they offer a great platform for players to earn themselves a professional contract and we rely on them to add talent to our team.”

“Each of the past three seasons we’ve seen players offered professional contracts directly from our combines and we look forward to seeing the prospects this year,” said General Manager Jason Arnold. One of those talents signed last year was midfielder Stefan Defregger who played 15 matches during the 2015 campaign. The Hammerheads recently announced they would be picking up their team option on Defregger and bringing him back for the 2016 USL season.

Players interested in attending these professional combines must register online HERE. A complete registration form must be filled out prior to the combine. Players must indicate the combine date in which they plan to attend and a registration fee of $175 is due before they can participate. All players are required to bring a form of valid identification (i.e. Driver’s License, passport, etc.) and personal equipment to the tryout. Registration does not include transportation, meals, or hotel costs. There will be no refunds for cancelled registration.

For more information regarding Wilmington Hammerheads FC, please contact (910) 777-2111 or visit www.wilmingtonhammerheads.com.

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WILMINGTON, NC (HAMMERHEADS) — Wilmington Hammerheads FC announced today the club will exercise its second year team option on midfielder Stefan Defregger and forward Qudus Lawal for their 2016 USL roster.

Defregger will be returning for his second year after having a good rookie campaign with the club.  The midfielder played in 15 matches and scored 2 goals last season. After participating in an open tryout for the club last season Defregger impressed coaches and was signed right out of college. The New Hampshire native played at Dartmouth College and earned All-Ivy League Second Team in his senior season. “Stefan [Defregger] had a great first year,” said Head Coach Mark Briggs. “He contributed a lot on the field and we are looking forward to him improving on his great rookie campaign.”

Lawal is also returning for his second year with the Hammerheads. The club traded for him midseason last year in a straight exchange with the Seattle Sounders FC 2 for defender Ashani Fairclough. Lawal brought some much need firepower for the club in his rookie season netting two goals and two assists in 11 matches for the club. The Hammerheads are excited about the young Nigerian this year expecting him to play a much bigger role in the offense after spending a full offseason with the club. “Qudus [Lawal] came to us at the midpoint last season and immediately made an impact,” said Briggs. “He possesses a ton of raw talent and has a very bright future ahead of him.”

The Hammerheads front office and coaching staff is actively recruiting talent for the 2016 USL season and expects some additional player announcements coming very soon.