The NSC Minnesota Stars of the North American Soccer League announced the signings Tuesday of midfielders Sandy Gbandi and Ryan Woods and defender John Gilkerson.
Gbandi spent the last three seasons with the Puerto Rico Islanders, champions of the 2010 USSF Division 2 Pro League, where he scored four goals and five assists over 33 games en route to winning the league title. He appeared in 76 overall games over his tenure there, scoring six goals.
Born in Liberia, he began his professional career in 2007 by leaving the University of Alabama-Birmingham to join Major League Soccer's FC Dallas, who drafted him with the ninth pick in that year's Supplemental Draft, but would never make an appearance for them.
Woods, born in Preston, England, makes his professional debut this season after playing at Embry-Riddle University, where he was named to the Sun Conference First Team in each of his three seasons there. He led the 2010 team with 11 goals and seven assists.
Gilkerson joins the Stars after two seasons with the Carolina RailHawks, in which he played in 37 games and led the 2010 team to a second place finish in USSF D2.
He played during his college career with the Virginia Beach Submariners and the Hampton Roads Piranhas of the USL Premier Development League.
His professional career began in 2008 by being selected by the New York Red Bulls in the Major League Soccer Supplemental Draft, but was then loaned to the USL First Division's Richmond Kickers for that season.
The Stars also announced the loss of midfielder Daniel Wasson for the 2011 season due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee he received in the offseason.
Wasson played 28 games last season, scoring two goals, including the first goal in club history April 16, 2010 against the RailHawks.
Wasson will now work in the team's front office and serve as their kit man for the season, which begins for Minnesota April 9 on the road against the Atlanta Silverbacks.
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