Carolina RailHawks offseason tracker, 2016

The first offseason under Stephen Malik has been an eventful one, with a plethora of fresh faces joining the club.

To keep track of it all, this offseason will be updated with each new signing, as well as the projected starting XI for the season opener on April 2.

NEW ADDITIONS

Stephen Malik, owner – biggest change start at the top

Jeremy Kelly, Midfielder (amateur contract)

Steven Miller*, Defender (Tulsa Roughnecks, USL Pro)

Kareem Moses, Defender (FC Edmonton)

Drew Beckie, Defender (Ottawa Fury FC)

James Marcelin**, Midfielder (Fort Lauderdale) – Member of the 2015 “NASL Best XI.”

Brian Shriver, Forward (Tampa Bay Rowdies) – 2013 NASL Golden Boot winner.

Marvin Ceballos, Midfielder (Indy Eleven)

Bill Schuler Forward (Vancouver Whitecaps FC II, USL Pro)

Paul Black, Defender (Atlanta Silverbacks)

Simon Mensing, Defender (Atlanta Silverbacks) – Black and Mensing anchored an Atlanta defense that conceded the third least goals in ’15.

Matt Watson, Midfielder (Chicago Fire, MLS) – former RailHawks player

Aly Alberto Hassan, Forward (Ottawa Fury FC)

*Finished 2015 on loan with Carolina

**Acquired via trade

RE-SIGNED

Akira Fitzgerald, Goalkeeper – Led league in saves in 2015 (80)

Brian Slyvestre, Goalkeeper – was on loan to Philadelphia Union (MLS)

Connor Tobin, Defender – Team captain in 2015.

Kupono Low, Defender – Scored first goal in RailHawks history in ’07.

Alex Perez, Defensive Midfielder*

Austin da Luz, Midfielder

Nazmi Albdawi, Midfielder – Three goals and an assist in final 56 minutes of 2015 before injuring fifth metatarsal

Tiyi Shipalane, Midfielder – Won team MVP in 2015

*Initially signed with five games remaining in 2015. Started all five matches and scored vs. Indy Eleven.

NOT RETURNING

Hunter Gilstrap (option declined, signed with Pittsburgh Riverhounds, USL Pro)

Austen King (option declined)

Futty Danso (signed with Rayo OKC)

Mark Anderson (signed with Spennymoor Town, 8th-division team in England)

Jack Coleman (option declined)

Gabriel Da Silva (option declined)

Jamie Dell (option declined)

Daniel Jackson (option declined, signed with Oklahoma City Energy FC, USL Pro)

Chris Nurse (option declined, signed with Puerto Rico FC)

Simone Bracalello (option declined)

Mamadee Nyepon (option declined)

Bradlee Baladez (option declined)

Leo Osaki (signed with Yokohama FC, J2 League)

Neil Hlavaty (traded to Fort Lauderdale)

Nacho Novo (option declined, rumored moves to Racing Ferrol or Indian Super League via LaVoCGalicia.es)

Projected Starting XI

GK: Fitzgerald

DEF: Black, Tobin, Moses, Beckie/Miller

MID: Shipalane, Marcelin, Perez, Watson, Albadawi

FWD: Shriver

Bench: Sylvestre; Mensing; Low; Ceballos, da Luz; Hassan, Schuler

This story was originally published February 29, 2016 at 6:51 PM with the headline "Carolina RailHawks offseason tracker, 2016."