PITTSBURGH (November 23, 2016) – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds made two more additions to their roster this week, adding forward Kay Banjo and defender Shane Campbell to one-year deals pending USL and USSF approval. Both contracts include a club option for 2018.
Banjo, who last played collegiately for the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), signs with the Hounds after being invited on trial earlier this month. He is the third trialist to be signed by Pittsburgh this offseason – defender Ritchie Duffie and forward John Manga being the others.
Campbell comes to the club after spending last year with the Harrisburg City Islanders and joins goalkeeper Keasel Broome as the second player to be signed by the Hounds this offseason from their in-state rivals.
“Kay is just a really clever, high-level forward. I think his movement off the ball is fantastic. He reads the game very well. I became familiar with him during his time with UMBC and I think it’s a big opportunity for us to add a quality player to our roster,” said head coach Dave Brandt. “And for Shane, he is a technically adept and a dependable wing-back that is also versatile enough to play as a holder at midfield. He is the kind of talented, young player we are looking to invest in and build around.”
At the collegiate-level, Banjo competed all four years, starring his first three at Towson University before transferring for his senior campaign to UMBC – Towson’s program was discontinued at the end of 2012. In total, Banjo started in 62 of his 65 appearances in the NCAA, tallying 23 goals to go along with 17 assists for 63 total points.
Banjo’s time with UMBC was highlighted by helping the Retrievers to their program’s first-ever College Cup Final Four appearance. He started in all 22 matches on the year, leading the team in goals (8) and assists (6) and the America East Conference in total points (22) and assists to capture conference Striker of the Year by unanimous vote. He was also named All-America East and National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-East Region (both first team) for his efforts.
At Towson, Banjo experienced a decorated career including All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) honors in each of his three seasons, as well as CAA-All Rookie Team recognition in 2010. He finished with 15 goals and 11 assists with the Tigers.
Banjo’s successful collegiate career resulted in him being selected by the Vancouver Whitecaps in the second round (38th overall) of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. The forward did not record an appearance in his time the club.
He is a dual citizen of the United States and Nigeria. Both his parents are Nigerian, but he was born in Washington D.C.
For Campbell, he is coming off a rookie season with Harrisburg that saw him make eight appearances total.
Prior to competing for the City Islanders, Campbell played collegiately at Penn State University and the University of Louisville.
He spent his first two years with the Nittany Lions, most notably totaling over 1,100 minutes in 16 appearances, 13 starts, as a freshman. His sophomore campaign was highlighted by two goals, including his first career tally coming against West Virginia, as well as helping man the backline for a four-match, 275-minute scoreless streak.
Campbell transferred to Louisville prior to his junior year. He totaled 27 appearances overall, 16 starts, in his two seasons with the Cardinals, scoring two goals, as well as two assists. He also competed in the USL’s Premier Development League during this time as well, making 31 appearances for Reading United.
A native of York, Pennsylvania, Campbell had a very successful career for Dallastown Area High School. He was named All-State in 2011, as well as a three-time York-Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association (YAIAA) All-County selection. Campbell helped his team to three Division I Championships, two County Championships and one District 3 Championship.
Campbell’s success in high school translated to the club level, where he was a member of the Philadelphia Union U-17/U-18 Academy for two seasons, earning an opportunity to play in two MLS reserve games for the Union first team in 2011. He also competed for, and captained for two seasons, USSF FC Delco Academy of the USSF Development Academy.
The two latest additions to the club give the Hounds seven players officially under contract for the upcoming 2017 season. Banjo and Campbell join returners Kevin Kerr and Chevaughn Walsh, as well as the aforementioned Broome, Duffie and Manga.