LANSING, Mich. — Lansing Ignite FC announced today the additions of midfielder Marshall Hollingsworth and forward Elma Nfor to the roster ahead of the 2019 USL League One season, pending league and federation approval.
Both players have trained with Lansing Ignite FC this offseason, while Nfor appeared in the Davenport University and Western Michigan University friendlies, scoring one goal and providing one assist.
Born in Libertyville, Illinois, Hollingsworth was drafted 41st in the 2016 Major League Soccer SuperDraft by Columbus Crew SC. He signed with the Crew and scored a goal for the MLS side in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup before playing on loan for the USL Championship’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC from 2016-17.
“Marshall is a top talent and someone who has showed he can be an elite performer in the USL and beyond,” LIFC Head Coach Nate Miller said. “Marshall has excellent pace, elite work rate and is creative in the final third. He is a very important player in our locker room as well. When he gets up to full speed and fitness, I have no doubt he will be a difference maker in our league.”
Prior to his professional career, Hollingsworth competed for Wheaton College (NCAA Division III). He earned numerous accolades, including College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Player of the Year his senior season and First Team All-CCIW all four years.
“After battling back from injury, I’m thrilled to be a part of Lansing Ignite for the 2019 season,” Hollingsworth said. “I look forward to lacing up and competing for the city this summer.”
Nfor competed for Wingate University from 2016-17, and he won the NCAA Division II National Championship with the program in his final season. In total, the forward recorded 15 goals and nine assists in 27 games.
“Elma is a great find for our club,” Miller said. “He has impressed massively in preseason and has showed an ability to create and score. He is powerful, strong and very good at defending from the front. Elma is a great addition as we finalize who we go to battle with for the season.”
From Bamenda, Cameroon, Nfor also excelled with Asheville City SC in the National Premier Soccer League, serving as the team’s leading scorer in 2017.
“It’s an honor to start my pro career here in Lansing,” Nfor said. “Coach Miller and the entire team have welcomed me in, so I can’t wait to compete with the guys this year.”
LIFC begins its USL League One campaign against the Richmond Kickers in Richmond, Virginia, on March 30 and against Greenville Triumph SC in Greenville, South Carolina, on April 6. The team will then return home to prepare for its week-long, home-opening celebration. LIFC will hold a celebration in downtown Lansing ahead of the team’s first League One match at Cooley Law School Stadium against the Kickers on April 13, and the celebration of soccer in the Michigan capital will continue three days later, when LIFC faces off against the Michigan State Spartans in the Capital Cup, presented by Sparrow. For more information on Ignite FC, follow the team on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram [instagram.com].
