Adding more quality to its roster ahead of the 2019 USL season, Louisville City FC can today confirm the signing of forward Lucky Mkosana from Penn FC. The Zimbabwean striker becomes the 18th signing under City boss John Hackworth in the offseason period and, per club policy, terms of the contract will not be released.
Mkosana is delighted by the opportunity to sign with Los Morados, telling www.loucity.com:
“I’m extremely excited to be part of an incredible organization and I’m looking forward to meeting the team, staff, fans, and to kick off the 2019 season.”
Coach Hackworth notes the quality a veteran like Mkosana will add to his forward line, stating:
“I have known Lucky for quite some time. In addition to being a quality goal scorer, he is an even better person. On the field, his movement off the ball fit the profile for what we were looking for. He is versatile enough to play several positions across our forward line, but most importantly, has the work ethic and attitude that will no doubt contribute to our group.”
Mkosana’s collegiate career was a successful one, playing for Dartmouth College between 2008-2011. During that time, the forward netted 44 times in 73 appearances and was named Ivy League Player of the Year in his final season in 2011.
Following his successful span in the Northeast, Mkosana was drafted 23rd overall in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft by the Chicago Fire, but was not signed by the club. Instead, Mkosana’s professional career began with the Harrisburg City Islanders where he scored 20 goals in 41 appearances in two years. A loan stint with the Tampa Bay Rowdies in 2013 eventually led to a permanent signing the next year.
After one whole and one partial season with the Rowdies, Mkosana’s NASL journey continued with the New York Cosmos where he netted nine times in 52 games and was a member of the 2016 NASL Championship side. After a brief spell with IFK Mariehamn in the Åland Islands, he then returned to the Cosmos for the reminder of the 2017 season.
Mkosana made the switch to USL side Penn FC ahead of the 2018 season and contributed 11 goals in 29 games, including two goals against LouCity in a 3-3 draw on June 16. Additionally, last season was also seen as a successful one with the forward receiving his first international call-up to the Zimbabwe national team for its African Cup of Nations qualifier on September 9.
Mkosana becomes the fourth forward in coach Hackworth’s arsenal alongside George Davis IV, Brian Ownby, and Luke Spencer, and will join the team in the 2019 preseason, which is set to begin in early February with a trip to renowned training facility IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
As preparations continue, Season Ticket Membership packages for the 2019 USL season are still available for purchase. Through purchasing 2019 season ticket packages, you get priority access to season tickets in LouCity’s Butchertown stadium development, which is set to be completed in 2020. Visit www.loucity.com/seasontickets or call (502) LOU-CITY to secure your seats for the team’s final season at Slugger Field.
PLAYER INFORMATION
Name: Lucky Mkosana
Position: Forward
Pronunciation: KO-sana
Hometown: Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Born: 9/30/1987 (31 years old)
Height: 5’9
Weight: 169 lbs
Prev. Club: Penn FC (USL)
Louisville City FC Permanent Roster as of Friday, December 14:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Chris Hubbard, Greg Ranjitsingh
DEFENDERS (6): Shaun Francis, Alexis Souahy, Oscar Jimenez, Pat McMahon, Taylor Peay, Sean Totsch
MIDFIELDERS (6):Richard Ballard, Jose Carranza, Paolo DelPiccolo, Napo Matsoso, Niall McCabe, Magnus Rasmussen
FORWARDS (4):George Davis IV, Lucky Mkosana, Brian Ownby, Luke Spencer
– LouisvilleCityFC.com | Follow Louisville City FC on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram–
###
