Orange County SC sign defender Sola Abolaji, goalkeeper Casey Beyers

Orange County SC announced on Friday the addition of two players for the 2017 roster, defender Sola Abolaji and goalkeeper Casey Beyers.

Abolaji is a central defender with experience both in the United States and abroad. An Illinois native, the 31-year-old played for the Carolina RailHawks and Vancouver Whitecaps in the old USL First Division, before heading to Scandinavia to play for several teams: Norwegian side Ullensaker/Kisa IL, then in Sweden for several teams, including Myresjo/Vetlanda FK and Roruik IF. More recently, he played with local PDL side Ventura County Fusion.

In Saturday’s preseason win over Loyola Marymount University, Abolaji played in the second half and provided an immediate vocal presence out of the back. It seems likely he’ll get plenty of playing time for Orange County SC this season.

Courtesy of Orange County SC Communications.

Beyers, meanwhile, is just embarking on his professional career. The 22-year-old comes out of the University of Wisconsin, standing at an imposing 6-foot-5, the rookie earned a contract after a trial, and at this stage, appears to be a backup option to Charlie Lyon for the 2017 campaign.

Abolaji and Beyers bring Orange County’s roster up to 15 players. The opening game of the 2017 USL season is March 25 on the road against Reno 1868 FC.

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