Akira Fitzgerald (Japanese: フィッツジェラルド・アキラ Fittsujerarudo Akira) (born July 17, 1987) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays for USL League One club Richmond Kickers as a goalkeeper.
Personal information | |||
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Date of birth | (1987-07-17) July 17, 1987 (age 35) | ||
Place of birth | Chiba, Japan | ||
Height | 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||
Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | Richmond Kickers | ||
Number | 1 | ||
Youth career | |||
Baltimore Bays | |||
College career | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2007–2010 | Wake Forest Demon Deacons | 71 | (0) |
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2008–2009 | Cary Clarets | 12 | (0) |
2011–2014 | Carolina RailHawks | 48 | (0) |
2015 | New York City FC | 0 | (0) |
2015 | → Carolina RailHawks (loan) | 3 | (0) |
2015–2016 | Carolina RailHawks | 31 | (0) |
2017–2018 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | 13 | (0) |
2019– | Richmond Kickers | 99 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 16, 2022 |
After redshirting his freshman year at Wake Forest, Fitzgerald made four appearances in 2007 and posted a 1-0-1 record. In 2008, Fitzgerald started every game for the Demon Deacons and finished with 13 clean sheets on the season and was named to ACC Honor Roll. Fitzgerald had another solid year in 2009 as he posted a 17-4-3 record in his junior season and was named to ACC Honor Roll for the second year in a row. Despite a rough senior season in 2010 with an 8-9-2 record, Fitzgerald still finished with a 1.23 goals against average, an ACC-best 81 saves, was named Second Team All-ACC and was one of 30 candidates for the 2010 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award for men's soccer.
During his time in college, Fitzgerald also spent two season with USL Premier Development League club Cary Clarets.[1][2]
Fitzgerald joined North American Soccer League club Carolina RailHawks in July 2011. After four seasons with the club, his contract ended and he was promptly signed up on a free transfer by expansion club New York City FC.[3] On May 19, 2015, it was announced Fitzgerald would be re-joining the RailHawks on loan through the NASL's spring season.[4]
Fitzgerald was waived by New York City on 24 June 2015,[5] going on to re-sign with Carolina RailHawks on 2 July 2015.[6]
Fitzgerald joined the Richmond Kickers on 6 February 2019, ahead of the inaugural USL League One season.[7]
Richmond Kickers – current squad | |
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