- Contributors to the league’s best defense in 2023, conceding only 26 goals in the regular season
- Both earned spots on 2023 USL Championship All-League First Team, with Vitiello winning the league’s Golden Glove award
- Both joined Republic FC ahead of the 2022 season
Sacramento, Calif. – Today, Republic FC announced that the club has signed multi-year contract extensions with goalkeeper Danny Vitiello and defender Conor Donovan. Per club policy, the terms of the agreements were not disclosed. Both players first joined Republic FC ahead of the 2022 season.
“Danny and Conor have established themselves as elite players at the top of USL Championship who embody our club values,” said Republic FC President and General Manager Todd Dunivant. “Their leadership in the locker room, on the field, and in the Sacramento community has been a key part of our success over the last two seasons, and we’re thrilled to have both back with us for years to come.”
“I couldn’t be more excited to come back and play for such an incredible club and city,” said Goalkeeper Danny Vitiello. “We have unfinished business to take care of next season and I am looking forward to doing everything in my power to giving the indomitable fans a year to remember. I’m counting down the days until we are back at Heart Health Park. The work starts now.”
“I’m humbled and excited to sign a new contract and continue to represent this great club, supporters, and city,” said Defender Conor Donovan. “I look forward to the 2024 season and playing in front of our great supporters.”
In his first two seasons with Republic FC, Vitiello recorded 23 clean sheets in 65 appearances across all competitions – a new club record in shutouts. In league play, he had an overall save success rate of 74.5% and only conceded 51 goals – both the top mark among goalkeepers with at least 50 appearances in the same two-year period. In the 2022 U.S. Open Cup semifinal, a clutch, fifth penalty save helped send the club through to the National Championship – a first for a second division club in 14 years. Vitiello continued his success with the Indomitable Club in 2023, setting a new career high in save percentage (76.2%), as well as a new club record for clean sheets by a goalkeeper in a single regular season (11). With a Goals-Against Average of 0.83, Vitiello claimed the Golden Glove for the second time in his career and earned his first selection to the USL Championship All-League First Team. He was also named a finalist for the league’s Goalkeeper of the Year, to be announced next week.
North Carolina native Donovan has appeared in 73 of 83 matches across all competitions in two seasons, and appeared in each of the club’s 33 shutouts since coming West to Sacramento. He was named the Defensive MVP of the 2022 squad by his teammates. This season, he ranked first in the league in blocks (34), and first on Republic FC’s roster in clearances (119) and interceptions (40). His game winning header – and first goal of the season – over New Mexico United sent Republic FC to the Western Conference Quarterfinals. For his exemplary performance, Donovan was named to the All-League First Team – his first career selection.
Season ticket memberships for the 2024 season are now on sale. To learn more about membership benefits – including how to secure the best seats at the lowest price per match – visit SacRepbulicFC.com/memberships.
