Dayton, April 10, 2018 - Dayton Dutch Lions FC has put pen-to-paper with a trio of experienced players to kickoff their 2018 PDL roster signings. Ali Ibrahime Kebe Baye, Jake Stovall and Tate Robertson will be wearing the orange and blue this summer.
Kebe Baye, center back, joins the club with a tremendous amount of international experience as well as being in Dayton the past two seasons. A former Senegal National team member and part of FC Spartack Moscow in the Russian Premier League, he has played at the highest levels of soccer. While in Russia, he participated in the UEFA Champions League competition, which many believe is the most prestigious soccer competition worldwide. Kebe was a 2009 Russian Premier League title winner as part of the FC Anzhi Makhachkala squad. He played with 4 other clubs as well as earning six caps for the Senegal National Team. Most recently, Kebe was named to the 2017 NPSL National Conference Best XI last summer.
Stovall, center back, is a local talent coming home to the Miami Valley. He played his youth soccer at Centerville High School and Cincinnati Cup Premier. A four-year starter at Wright State University, the 6'3" defender was a vital part of the Raiders back line that averaged less than a goal per game. His senior year, he was named First Team All-Horizon League, Second Team All-Ohio and Third Team All-Region. During the 2017 MLS Draft, Stovall was a third-round pick of the Seattle Sounders. He caught the attention and interest of NASL Puerto Rico FC’s scouts during the Sounders’ preseason for his ability and physical attributes and was signed to play with them last year.
Robertson, attacking midfielder, also hails from the area as he was a four-year letterwinner at Springfield Catholic Central H.S. His senior year, he was an All-Ohio First-Team selection in Division III , when he scored a whopping 44 goals. He was the top scorer in all of Division III and was third in the state in scoring among all divisions. Tate was named Ohio Heritage Conference Player of the Year and earning All-OHC First-Team honors for the third consecutive season. He has started 53 of 54 matches for the Bowling Green University Men's Team providing 4 goals and 11 assists during his three seasons. He was named Second Team All-MAC. This past summer, he was selected to the 2017 NPSL Regional Team and National Conference Best XI.
Head Coach Dan Griest shared, "This exceptional group of players have proven themselves to be successful at any level, from the Champions League in Europe to the NPSL here in Dayton, and everywhere in between, so I am excited to see them showcase their tremendous abilities with the Dayton Dutch Lions. They bring a wealth of leadership, tenacity, composure, and creativity to the squad and we will certainly be looking for big things from them this summer as we embrace the challenge of winning the Great Lakes Division.”
The Dayton Dutch Lions look forward to an exciting 2018 season and hope to see you in the stands. You can stay current on all the DDL FC happenings on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Season tickets to all home games at DOC Stadium are available. You can purchase them by calling the Dutch Lions ticket office at 937-530-2123. Full schedule available here.