The Chattanooga Red Wolves announced a series of signings this week as the club continues to strengthen its roster ahead of the 2024 season. The new veterans come to the team with extensive USL experience: Lucas Coutinho will join the team from Greenville Triumph SC while Stefan Lukic and Leo Folla each played two seasons with Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC.
Lucas Coutinho has been a creative staple throughout the USL since his debut in 2019. He previously played for South Georgia Tormenta FC (2019-20) where he registered three goals across 25 appearances. He then signed with USL Championship side FC Tulsa for the 2021 season with two goals across 18 appearances before then joining Greenville Triumph SC. The star Brazilian midfielder ended the 2023 season with five goals and two assists and 65.2 shooting accuracy.
“A big time signing, Lucas brings with him a ton of experience and quality,” said Red Wolves Head Coach and Technical Director, Scott Mackenzie. “He’s a dribbler, he is a creator and someone that can unlock defenses. We know he is a player we know will excite the fan base. This off season we knew it was important to add quality to our attack and Lucas was a high priority to fit in with the attacking soccer we want to play.”
Stefan Lukic, a Serbian academy prodigy previously chased by the likes of Chelsea, Everton, Aston Villa and Arsenal of the English premier league, signed his first professional contract with Northern Colorado in 2022. Prior to this he spent two seasons with USL League Two side Corpus Christi FC where he scored nine goals in 21 appearances. He scored two goals for Northern Colorado in his first season and ended the 2023 campaign with three assists and a 54.5% shooting accuracy.
Of Lukic’s play, Scott Mackenzie calls him, “…a wizard with the ball at his feet, Stefan can do things that most in the league or the game just can’t. He’s a player with great pedigree and comes to us ready to be a big contributor to our attack. He’s a creator with the ball and one I’m sure fans will love to watch play.”
Folla, who was a member of the Chattanooga Red Wolves inaugural 2019 season squad, returns to the organization after stints with Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC in 2022 and FC Tulsa, where he played alongside Coutinho during the 2021 season. His 2022 season saw a 82.4% tackle success rate, 57 clearances, and one assist. In 2023, Folla lead the Northern Colorado defense to a league best in fewest goals allowed and most shutouts. He also individually lead the team in most blocks that season.
“Leo is one of the best center backs in USL League One,” said Scott Mackenzie. “He’s coming back to Chattanooga after an excellent campaign with Northern Colorado. It was a big offseason priority to improve our backline and Leo is a big part of that. His ability to defend 1v1, dominance in the air and quality on the ball will play a big part in our success in 2024.”
The Chattanooga Red Wolves will continue to announce signings in the coming weeks ahead of the 2024 season, which opens on March 15th on the road at Lexington SC before the team returns to CHI Memorial Stadium for their home opener against Union Omaha on Saturday, March 30th. Season tickets are on sale now.