edinburgh, texas – Rio Grande Valley FC announced Friday that the club has signed winger Cristiano Francois to the club’s 2023 USL Championship roster. The signature is pending league and federation approval.
François has a solid track record in the USL Championship. The Haiti international has made 162 appearances in the regular season and the playoffs, with 32 goals and 34 assists in the league. Additionally, since the start of the 2017 season, the 29-year-old has completed his 265 dribbles, ranking him fifth in the championship for that span.
His standout season came two years ago in an attacking season at Miami FC, where he scored 11 goals and seven assists, demonstrating his offensive expertise as a winger. Last season, François competed for fellow USL Championship club El Paso Locomotive FC, and had some rare league appearances with the Richmond Kickers, Rochester Rhinos, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, Ottawa Fury FC, Reno 1868 FC and Portland Timbers 2. unfolded.
François made his international debut for the Haiti men’s national team on 7 September 2019 in the 78th minute of the 2019 Concacaf Nations League against Curacao. He has made three appearances in his U-23 ranks and with the Haiti national team in each of his three senior-level matches.