April 12, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release
Sacramento, Calif. – Today, Republic FC announced the club has acquired English striker Kieran Phillips on loan from EFL Sky Bet Championship side Huddersfield Town. Phillips will be added to the club’s roster pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and ITC, and league & federation approval. Per club policy, the terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The transaction is the first between the two clubs.
“This is an exciting day and a first step as we grow the relationship between these two great clubs,” said Kevin Nagle, Republic FC Chairman and CEO and owner of Huddersfield Town. “Kieran is a talented young player that we think will be a good fit for Republic FC as the club pursues silverware in USL Championship, and this loan is a great example of how we will continue to develop synergies both on and off the pitch.”
A Huddersfield native, Phillips spent his early playing days in the youth system at his hometown club. He later moved to Everton, where he remained for the bulk of his youth career. He signed his first pro contract with the Blues in 2019 after impressing at the U18 level, scoring 11 goals in 12 U18 Premier League matches in 2018/19.
Phillips later returned to Town on loan from Everton in 2020, scoring six goals for the academy side before earning a new contract with his hometown club. He made his professional debut with the first team in January 2021, impressing as a substitute for the Terriers in 11 contests across all competitions. He spent the next three seasons in EFL Sky Bet League Two, first on loan to Walsall (four goals) and later with Exeter City where he scored two goals to help the squad earn promotion. He moved up to Morecambe in EFL Sky Bet League One in 2022, scoring seven times in 10 appearances. After one final loan to Shrewsbury Town in 2023, he was recalled by Huddersfield this past January.
Republic FC is back in action tomorrow, defending home turf against FC Tulsa at Heart Health Park. Since the start of the 2023 season, no club has been stronger at home than Republic FC, claiming 14 USL wins with a goal differential of +25 and 11 clean sheets. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. PT and tickets are available now at SacRepublicFC.com/Tickets. The match will be broadcast live in English and Spanish on FOX40 and Antenna TV 40.2, and streaming on FOX40.com, through the FOX40 News mobile app, and on ESPN+.
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