CHARLESTON, SC – Charleston Battery forward Austin Savage announced Monday he will retire from professional soccer. Savage, 25, made six appearances and scored one goal for the Battery in 2016.
The South Carolina native will begin working as a salesman for a beverage and beer distributor on Monday. Savage said, “I was offered a really good opportunity with Southern Eagle Distributors and it felt like the right time to walk away from soccer.”
Savage spent his entire career in South Carolina, playing with Summerville Soccer Club before attending Clemson University. After graduating in 2013, he earned a spot on the Battery roster. The former Tiger took a year-long hiatus from soccer in 2014 before returning for the 2015 and 2016 seasons. Savage will continue to be a part of the soccer community in Charleston post-retirement. In addition to his sales job, he will coach a U10 team at his youth club.
The forward considers his goal against the Houston Dynamo as a rookie during the Carolina Challenge Cup as his favorite memory in a Battery jersey. When asked what he’ll miss most, Savage mentioned his teammates and the comradery in the locker room between players from all over the world.
In his final statement to the Club, Savage said, “I want to extend a huge thank you to the fans and everyone in the organization who helped me get to where I am today. You all made my time here an experience I’ll never forget. I look forward to attending games in the future and continuing to support the Battery from the stands.”
Top Image: Savage dribbles past a TFC II defender on 5/14/2016. Roxy Taylor photo.
