CHATTANOOGA,Tenn. (Nov. 30, 2018) – Chattanooga Red Wolves SC has signed midfielder Josue Soto to its USL League One team. Soto will join the franchise for its inaugural season in 2019 from Finland’s AC Oulu, pending league and federation approval.
Spending the past two seasons with AC Oulu of Ykkönen, the second highest Finnish league, Soto made 36 appearances with a combined nearly 1,800 minutes played. Most recently, the midfielder finished the 2018 season with two goals and four assists in all competitions.
According to Tim Hankinson, head coach and technical director for Chattanooga Red Wolves SC, Soto makes both a familiar and impressive addition to the Red Wolves roster.
“Josue played for me on loan with the San Antonio Scorpions,” said Hankinson. “He is an outstanding possession-driven, left-footed midfielder with a great engine and the ability to play box-to-box. He will be a great asset as we continue to build out our midfield.”
Prior to joining Oulu, Soto began his professional career with Houston Dynamo of the MLS as the club’s third homegrown contract in 2011, making appearances in friendlies and reserve matches, before eventually being loaned to the NASL San Antonio Scorpions in 2012.
From there, Soto held a stint with Chivas USA during the 2013-14 season. In 2014, Soto returned to the Scorpions, where he made 26 appearances and led his team to win the NASL Soccer Bowl. In 2015, he stayed on for another season with the Scorpions before venturing overseas to join FF Jaro in Finland’s Ykkönen for the 2016 season.
As a college player, Soto played for Carolina Dynamo in USL Premier Development League, now officially known as USL League Two.
“I am really looking forward to this move to join the Chattanooga Red Wolves SC franchise,” said Soto. “I have high hopes for our USL League One debut and can’t wait to get started with Coach Hankinson and the team.”
He clocks in as the seventh player signee for the club as it continues to build out its roster. Other signees include Greg Hartley, Éamon Zayed and Steven Beattie.
For more information on Chattanooga Red Wolves SC, visit www.chattredwolves.com or follow the team on social media: @ChattRedWolves on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
About USL League One
USL League One is shaping the future of the game in the United States, uniting passionate fans in new markets with the thrill of a proven professional soccer experience. League One submitted its sanctioning application to the U.S. Soccer Federation on August 14. South Georgia Tormenta FC, FC Tucson, Greenville Triumph SC, a Madison-based team, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC, Toronto FC II, Orlando City B and the Richmond Kickers have been revealed as teams set to compete in the inaugural 2019 season. The remaining teams will be announced in the coming weeks as well as the league’s official competition structure.
