The United Soccer League’s Tampa Bay Rowdies have announced the addition of midfielder Dominic Oduro from the Premier Development League’s FC Golden State Force.

The 23-year-old Ghanian joins the Rowdies midseason as the club sits two points from a playoff position with 21 games left to play in the 2018 regular season. The move comes amid several changes for the Rowdies, as former defender Neill Collins takes over as head coach with midfielder Joe Cole taking on double-duty as an assistant coach as well. Oduro becomes the first PDL player to sign a professional deal during the 2018 season.

“The Rowdies are a historical team and the players we bring in will be able to help us add to our rich history," said Rowdies Chairman & CEO Bill Edwards. "Oduro is a young player who we have watched in the PDL for the last year and we think he has developed into a player that will impact this team now. It also speaks volumes to the PDL and the level of players in that league.”

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“We’re thrilled to see Dominic’s career continue at the professional level in the USL,” said PDL Co-Director Chris Madden. “Dominic has been a key part of the FC Golden State Force’s success the past two seasons and we believe he’ll be able to have a similar contribution with the Tampa Bay Rowdies. We wish him the best as he continues to grow and are proud to have contributed to his development as a player.”

Oduro has featured heavily for the Force over the past two seasons. In 2017, Oduro appeared in 13 of 14 regular season matches - recording one assist and five shutouts - while helping guide the team to the National Semifinals as the Western Conference Champions. He’s appeared in five matches in 2018, scoring one goal and helping the Force to a league-best nine wins through ten matches, leading the Southwest Division.

Prior to competing with the Force, Oduro joined Manchester City’s youth academy from the Right to Dream Academy in Ghana. He translated his youth career into a professional one in 2013, signing with Manchester City before taking loan spells at Danish Superliga club AGF, Belgian club Royal Mouscron-Peruwelz and Swedish club IK Frej.

Next, Oduro enjoyed a permanent move to Danish club FC Nordsjælland, where he spent the 2016 season. After the 2016 campaign, Oduro was drafted in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft by the Seattle Sounders with the 44th overall pick in the second round. Oduro also trialed with the USL’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in February 2018.