Today, Sacramento Republic FC announced that the club has reached an agreement with defender Lee Desmond, pending league and federation approval. He will be added to Republic FC’s 2022 roster pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and ITC. Per club policy, the terms of the contract were not disclosed.
“Lee is an important addition for the club and will bring leadership, mentality, and a winning pedigree,” said Republic FC President and General Manager Todd Dunivant. “He wins his duels and is comfortable on the ball, which will translate well to our athletic league.”
The 26-year-old defender joins Republic FC on the heels of a second-place league finish and a FAI Cup Championship with St. Patrick’s Athletic FC of the League of Ireland Premier Division. The extra time thriller ended with Desmond claiming his third domestic title and being selected as the Man of the Match for the 2021 final. He spent seven seasons with the Dublin club, including winning back-to-back top flight league trophies in 2015 and 2016. Across all competitions – including four Europa League Qualifiers – Desmond has added two goals and nine assists, and finished in the top five for all-time club appearances (214) and top three in minutes played.
Prior to joining St. Patrick’s in 2015, Desmond played for Shelbourne FC during the club’s time in the League of Ireland First Division. With Shelbourne, he made 28 appearances including FAI Cup and EA Sports Cup tournament play, contributing two goals and one assist. As a teenager, Desmond joined the youth academy for English Premier League side Newcastle United where he made eight appearances for the youth and reserve teams.
Desmond has represented Ireland for international play with four appearances at the U19 and U21 level, including international friendlies and UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifying.
