January 4, 2023 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Richmond Kickers News Release
RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce midfielder Nil Vinyals has signed a new multi-year contract with the club, pending league and federation approval.
“Nil has been a very good player for us over the past two seasons,” Kickers’ Chief Sporting Officer and Head Coach, Darren Sawatzky said. “We are looking to build on the style of play here and continually get better in how we attack teams and work to control the tempo of games. Nil has the ability to change the game with tempo and with flair in the way he finds players on the field. We are looking for Nil to continue to serve up players and also find his place on the scoresheet in 2023.”
Vinyals recommits to the Kickers following a successful first two seasons with the club during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. The Barcelona native’s contributions on the offensive side of the ball in 2022 were imperative in the Kickers setting the new USL League One regular-season goal-scoring record with 54 goals. Vinyals led the team and finished tied for third in the league with 55 created chances while scoring five goals and dishing out five assists.
Since joining in 2021, Vinyals has created 106 total chances across 56 league appearances and 51 starts along with 7 goals and 10 assists.
“Signing a second contract with the Kickers is a testament to how much I’ve enjoyed the city, people, and culture in Richmond for these past two years,” Vinyals said. “It means a lot to be back at the club that trusted me since the start.
“Thanks to the coaching staff and my teammates, I’ve been able to grow tremendously both on and off the field, attaining a consistency that I’ve been working towards for years.”
The Kickers began their 2022 regular-season title charge with an exclamation point in the season opener as Vinyals led the way with a brace and an assist during a 4-0 demolition of FC Tucson. After scoring the second and third goals on either side of halftime, Vinyals set up Matthew Bentley for the final goal of the night in the 81st minute.
Vinyals was awarded USL League One Player of the Week for Week 1 following his performance. He finished the season with four additional placements in the league’s team of the week.
Now, he looks to continue enhancing the Kickers’ attack in his third season in Richmond as the club prepares to defend and improve upon its 2022 regular-season title.
“I am looking to keep helping the club build a…