LANSING, Michigan — Lansing Ignite FC has revealed today the addition of goalkeeper Michael “Mike” Kirk ahead of the 2019 campaign, pending league and federation approval.
Kirk competed for Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC during the 2018 USL Championship season, recording two clean sheets, three clearances, five catches and 13 saves in seven appearances. The netminder has also appeared in all three preseason friendlies for LIFC, making a number of stops.
“We are very excited to welcome Mike to the club,” LIFC Head Coach Nate Miller said. “He has had some valuable experiences in the league, and we believe he has an opportunity now to really excel. Mike is a very good shot stopper and possesses the ability to build play and be an instrumental part of possession. Mike is also a leader and a great personality that will help drive the team on.”
The 6-foot netminder was a member of Rio Grande Valley FC in 2017 and played collegiately at La Salle University between 2012 and 2016 and for USL League Two (formerly Premier Development League) side Ocean City Nor’easters in 2016.
Kirk is the latest addition to LIFC’s roster ahead of the 2019 season, joining Xavier Gomez, Rafa Mentzingen, Christian Silva, Kyle Carr, Nathan Lewis, Steeve Saint-Duc, Kyle Ihn, Rhys Williams, Kevin Coiffic, Omar Castro, Brandon Fricke, Pato Botello Faz, Grant Stoneman, Nick Moon, Lewis Jones and Tumi Moshobane.
“To be a part of a new team in a new league for its first-ever season is an exciting opportunity,” Kirk said. “I’m honored for the opportunity to further my career and represent Lansing in 2019 and want to thank the Riverhounds organization and the Pittsburgh community for an incredible experience last year.”
LIFC kicks off its USL League One regular season against the Richmond Kickers in Richmond, Virginia, on March 30 and against Greenville Triumph SC in Greenville, South Carolina, on April 6. LIFC will hold a celebration in downtown Lansing ahead of the team’s first League One match at Cooley Law School Stadium against the Kickers on April 13, and the celebration of soccer in the Michigan capital will continue three days later when LIFC faces off against the Michigan State Spartans in the Capital Cup. For more information on Ignite FC, follow the team on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram [instagram.com].
