Rowdies Acquire Forward Lucky Mkosana for 2014 Season

ST. PETERSBURG – The Tampa Bay Rowdies announced on Thursday that the club has acquired the rights to forward Luckymore "Lucky" Mkosana from USL Pro’s Harrisburg City Islanders, and have signed the young forward to a new one-year contract through the 2014 Season.

Lucky (5-9, 169) joined the Rowdies on loan on September 2, making his debut off the bench on September 7 against the Carolina RailHawks. Instantly, the Zimbabwe native impressed with his speed and agility, becoming one of the key parts to the Rowdies attack. The forward played 9 matches in Fall Season with the Rowdies and scored two goals in 717 minutes.

Lucky joined the Rowdies on loan from the Harrisburg City Islanders, where in his last eight regular-season matches he scored 10 goals. Originally from Zimbabwe, he played collegiately for Dartmouth College from 2008-2011. During his time there, he became the all-time leader with 34 goals, breaking a record that had stood since 1953.

The 26-year-old was selected by the Chicago Fire in the second round of the 2012 MLS SuperDraft, but he would sign for Harrisburg in May of that year. His breakthrough season came in 2013, where he finished the regular season with 28 points (13 goals, 2 assists). In two full seasons with the City Islanders Lucky played in 41 games, scored 20 goals and had 4 assists.

In addition, the Rowdies have agreed to a new 2-year deal with defender Jordan Gafa (1 year plus 1-year club option).

At the moment, the Rowdies updated roster for the 2014 season is as follows:

Goalkeeper: Diego Restrepo

Defenders: Jordan Gafa, Jay Needham, Blake Wagner

Midfields: Keith Savage, Evans Frimpong, Kyle Clinton

Forwards: Georgi Hristov, Lucky Mkosana, Brian Shriver, Amani Walker

For more information or to order 2014 season tickets, including the new Midfielder’s Premium Club Memberships, fans can e-mail tickets@rowdiessoccer.com or call (813) 287-1539. For season ticket prices and a seating chart for Al Lang Stadium click here.