Sacramento Republic FC sign midfielder Fatai Alashe

Sacramento Republic FC announced Wednesday they have signed midfielder Fatai Alashe ahead of the 2021 USL Championship season.

The 27-year-old won MLS Cup with the Columbus Crew last season, in a career that includes stops to date with the San Jose Earthquakes and FC Cincinnati. Alashe had a brief stint playing in the USL, with FC Cincy in the 2018 season.

“Fatai brings a fresh championship experience and winning mentality to our core of central midfielders,” said Head Coach Mark Briggs in a team statement. “We’re excited to welcome such a versatile player to our team, and continue to prepare for the season ahead.”

Alashe has over 100 appearances in MLS play in his career, but he has mostly served as a reserve or bench option the past few years. Moving to Sacramento may give him a chance, at his peak, to really elevate his game and get regular playing time for Republic FC.

He’s a native of Michigan, having played collegiately at Michigan State (Go Green), and he’s been used mostly as a defensive midfielder in his career to date, although he may also be good value in a box-to-box role in midfield as well.

I love this signing, and with Alashe joining Felipe Luis, Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu and Jaime Villarreal as veterans in midfield, Sac Republic should have a wealth of options over the course of the 2021 season.

What do you think? Leave a comment below.