If you wondered who else would be joining Bethlehem Steel FC before buying tickets for one of the first matches of their inaugural season, you're in luck.
Eight players signed with BSFC today, including a wide variety of USL vets and young future Philadelphia Union hopefuls.
Leading the list is a Philly native who returns home after a few years away playing for USL side Louisville City FC, Nick Bibbs. Bibbs is a defender who started at the University of Syracuse, where he helped a back line that had the third most shutouts in the nation. He's also had a stint in Sweden for IFK Lammhult.
Following Bibbs are two Jamaican players who surely will hope to bring the same level of success they had at home to Bethlehem. Striker Amoy Brown was on a tear for St. George's College in Jamaica in 2014. The now 19 year old took home the Golden Boot in the Jamaican competition, and hopefully he will continue to strike fear into the hearts of goalkeepers across the USL for Brendan Burke. Cory Burke (no relation) will join his fellow countryman, and they could be a dynamic duo up top for the Steel. During Rivoli United's relegation battle in the Red Stripe Premier League, Burke accounted for 12 of his club's 19 goals, which was enough for the number one spot in goals scored.
Seasoned Irish midfielder James Chambers also joins the Steel in a midfield role and he brings a vast amount of experience to the club. Chambers most recently lead St. Patricks to back to back Europa League qualifications by finishing fourth in the Irish Premier League in 2015 and taking home the FAI Cup in 2014.
Seku Conneh becomes the first of what might end up being a long line of Dutch league players in the organization, as the 20 year old Liberian joins by way of FC Oss. Another promising winger, Conneh tallied two goals in 10 appearances for his former club. Previously at comparable Dutch second league side Fortuna Sittard, he turned in nine goals in 45 appearances. Conneh also spent time in the youth system at Ajax.
Josh Heard will join the Steel trap at the back and the former University of Washington Husky seems more than up to it. Senior year All PAC-12 mention, a junior year that included seven goals in 12 starts, leading UW to a 12-4-1 record and a 14 seed in the 2014 NCAA Tournament. The Vancouver Whitecaps took him 71st overall in the SuperDraft in Baltimore this year, but Heard chose instead to forge his career in Bethlehem.
Raymond Lee might be a name we recognize from last season with the Union, as the full back was also the 71st pick in his draft in 2015. Lee made his debut for the Union in a loss against Sporting Kansas City on April 5th of 2015, and started against Barclays Premier League side AFC Bournemouth in the friendly played in Chester on July 14th. Lee was waived on August 28th, and previously cut his teeth at the University of Louisville where he played in 75 games.
Rounding out the bunch is Ken Tribbett. The former Drexel Dragon lit up the Colonial Athletic Association college scene with the holding midfielder taking All-Atlantic South, All-CAA and All-CAA tournament honors while also bringing Drexel the first CAA championship and a second straight birth in the NCAA tournament. Tribbett spent 2014 with the PDL's Michigan Bucks and 2015 with future BSFC rival, Harrisburg City Islanders.