NASHVILLE, TN – Nashville SC announced on Thursday that they have signed free agent defender Laurence Wyke for the 2023 season, with additional club options for 2024 and 2025.
Wyke, 26, is a native of Bolton, England, but has played in the United States since 2015, playing collegiately at Trinity University and Furman University.
Wyke joined Atlanta United 2 in the USL Championship in 2019, and made his MLS debut for Atlanta United against Nashville SC on February 29, 2020. He made seven appearances with Atlanta in MLS, and joined the Tampa Bay Rowdies in 2021, where he made 57 appearances over two seasons.
Noteably, Wyke was the center of controversy in 2022. During a win over Monterrey Bay, Wyke was fined by the USL Championship and suspended for 12 games for “racially discriminatory behavior“. Tampa Bay appealed the suspension, and an independent review panel overturned the suspension, reinstating Wyke immediately.
With Robert Castellanos departing Nashville in the offseason, Wyke profiles purely as a depth piece at center back. He likely won’t see too many minutes with the first team, but could fill in when needed, able to play as a no. 6 as well as his preferred spot in the center of defense. Expect him to bounce between Huntsville City FC and Nashville’s first team.
