March 1, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Indy Eleven News Release
INDIANAPOLIS – Indy Eleven began March by adding another important piece to its 2023 roster via the transfer acquisition of Cuban defender Adrián Diz Pe from FC Tulsa. Per club policy, terms of the deal that brings the five-year USL Championship veteran to Indiana’s Team will not be released, and the transfer will be finalized pending league and federation approval.
“I’m very happy to get the opportunity to be with a great club in Indy Eleven,” said Diz Pe, who has reported to the team’s Grand Park training center to begin practicing with his new squad. “I believe I’m in the right place and can add to a great team that can compete for a championship this season.”
Diz Pe (pronounced “deez pay”) joins the Boys in Blue after establishing himself as one of the Championship’s most dependable center backs while with FC Tulsa during the 2022 campaign. While notching career highs in games played (30), starts (28), and minutes (2,497), the towering 6’3″ defender ranked among the league’s top 10 players in numerous defensive statistics last season including 144 possessions won in the defensive third (3rd), 129 clearances (5th), 83 aerial duels won (6th), 205 duels won (7th) and 71 tackles (10th).
“I’ve coached against Adrián for four seasons now, and each year his growth not only as a defender, but just as an overall footballer, has been evident,” said Indy Eleven Head Coach Mark Lowry. “He brings a size and physicality that can hardly be matched in this league and will provide a different dynamic on the backline and as an attacker on set pieces. We’re thrilled to get to work with Adrián to help him grow even more as he enters the prime years of his career.”
During his five USL Championships seasons, Diz Pe has started 91 of his 102 appearances (including one start in three playoff matches) and notched three goals and five assists while suiting up for Portland Timbers 2 (2018-19), Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (2020), Rio Grande Valley Toros FC (2021), and FC Tulsa (2022). Prior to his run in the USL Championship, the Havana-born Diz Pe began his professional career playing for hometown side Ciudad de la Habana in 2012.
Diz Pe rose through the ranks of the Cuban National Team early in his career before defecting to the United States. He registered 13 senior caps for los leones del Caribe between 2012 and 2015, including appearances in the squad’s title run in the 2012…