Homegrown Talent Simon Fitch Signs New Multi-Year Contract

January 12, 2023 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Richmond Kickers News Release

RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce defender Simon Fitch has signed a new multi-year contract with the club, pending league and federation approval.

“Simon is back to continue his ascension as a young player with competitive bite and the ability to bomb into the attack,” Kickers’ Chief Sporting Officer and Head Coach, Darren Sawatzky said. “He played important minutes for us during the 2022 regular season championship run, and we see him progressing more as he roams forward from his outside back position. He was underrated this past season, and I believe you will see him define himself more in 2023.”

The Richmond native earned a new multi-year contract with his hometown club following a successful rookie season that saw him start 11 of 21 league matches and log 1,308 minutes on the pitch. Fitch’s hard work throughout the 2022 season reached its crescendo in the final weeks as he started on the left flank for the remaining three regular season matches – earning man of the match during the Oct. 2 match – as well as the Kickers’ USL League One Semi-Final Playoff match.

“I wanted nothing else but to continue playing for Richmond, so to sign a new deal is humbling and exciting,” Fitch said. “Representing this city and its soccer community is not something I take for granted. I view it as a great privilege and responsibility, so I’m grateful to continue to have the opportunity to do so.”

Fitch has lived and breathed the Richmond soccer scene growing up as a Kickers fan and even featuring for the professional team as a youth player in an exhibition against Swansea A.F.C. in 2017. He went on to play for the VCU men’s soccer team from 2018-21 where he started every match in his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons.

Having that additional civic pride has fueled Fitch’s ascent as he aims to improve as a young professional player while helping the team defend and build upon its 2022 USL League One regular-season title.

“The most challenging but rewarding achievement in our game is consistent success,” Fitch said. “We will be looking to build off last year and to make winning the expectation in Richmond for years to come. Individually, my goal is to continue growing as a player, adding as much value as possible to the club on and off the field.”

Fitch showed off his fluidity as a defender last season by playing on both the left and right outside back positions…