RailHawks Sign Jun Marques Davidson

Official Press Release

Midfielder Davidson joins RailHawks from Japan
Davidson, 26, comes to U.S. after eight seasons in J-League

CARY, N.C. (Feb. 26, 2009) - The Carolina RailHawks have signed midfielder Jun Marques Davidson.

At 26, Davidson is a young, up-and-coming player with a bright future, and he also has loads of experience. Prior to signing with the RailHawks, he played the last eight years in Japan, including the last five in the J-League’s top tier. Since his professional debut as an 18-year-old in 2002, Davidson played in 128 matches and scored two goals.

“He’s a player I’ve known about for years,” said RailHawks coach Martin Rennie. “He’s played over 100 games in the J-League and is a well-regarded player at that level. I’ve always wanted to work with him but I’ve never been able to because he’s always been under contract. His contract was up this year and we managed to convince him a change would be good for him and might help him fulfill his dream of playing in Europe. We’ve got a player who’s not reached his peak yet but already played at a high level for a number of years. He’s very clean on the ball and he can play a number of positions. So we’re excited to have him.”

Davidson will lend additional support and experience to the RailHawks defense that last year was among the best in all of U.S. professional soccer and is returning almost entirely in tact in 2010. The RailHawks last season posted 17 shutouts and a 0.63 goals against average.

Davidson, a Japanese-American, was born and raised in Tokyo before moving to Pasadena, Calif., where he spent his high school years at the American Global Soccer School. He then returned to Japan and made his professional debut with Omiya Ardija in 2002. After three seasons in the J-League Division 2, he helped the team see promotion to Division 1 after it finished second in the table in 2004. Davidson remained with Omiya Ardija until 2006, finishing his time with that club with 87 appearances to his credit.

He spent the last three seasons under contract with Albirex Niigata, one of the best supported teams in Japan that draws 30,000-40,000 fans per game.

“Martin knew I had an interest in coming to the States. I kept in touch with him and he explained to me everything about the team and got me interested,” Davidson said. “All the things he talked about, it was all positive. The facilities are great and the standard of play is very high. So all those things made me want to come, and I want to help the team win.”