SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sacramento Republic FC announced on Wednesday it initial roster moves ahead of the 2026 USL Championship season with 13 players currently set to return for the club’s 13th season.

The club exercised contract options for defenders Michel Benitez, Lee Desmond, Jack Gurr and Freddy Kleeman, and they join nine players previously under contract with the Indomitable Club 2026 campaign: Goalkeeper Danny Vitiello, defenders Rayan Djedje, Ryan Spaulding, Jared Timmer, and Chibi Ukaegbu, midfielders Blake Willey and Dominik Wanner, and forwards Da’vian Kimbrough, and Lewis Jamieson.

Vitiello, Gurr, and Desmond all return for their fifth season with the club, while Timmer is back for his fourth. The four players – who are all among a part of an elite group of players to surpass 100 club appearances – have comprised the core of Sacramento’s defensive unit that continues to be among the league leaders for clean sheets and fewest goals allowed each season.

Willey, Ukaegbu, and Kimbrough build on Republic FC’s impressive track record of youth development. The three came through the club’s youth academy to sign professional contracts with their hometown team. In addition to their standout performances with Republic FC, the trio have all earned call ups to national team programs in 2025.

“The start of preseason is less than two months away and we’re already hard at work building a roster that reflects the identity and vision of this club,” said Republic FC President and General Manager Todd Dunivant. “We’ll be forever grateful to everyone who has worn our crest and are looking forward to further strengthening the team.”

Republic FC also announced it remains in discussions with Nick Ross, Khori Bennett and Cristian Parano, who are out of contract, and that the club declined contract options for forward Sebastian Herrera and defender Aaron “AJ” Edwards.

Russell Cicerone, Luis Felipe Fernandes, Jared Mazzola, and Justin Portillo are also out of contract, while Cody Baker has returned to Seattle Sounders FC following the conclusion of his loan agreement.