Valour FC signs Canadians Jordan Murrell and midfielder Glenn Muenkat

Defenders Jordan Murrell and Skylar Thomas are back together again, this time wearing Winnipeg’s Valour FC colours.

The two met in Costa Rica at a Canadian under-18 camp before spending four years together at Syracuse University.

“We’ve played in different places. Now to be reunited with one of my close friends is great,” Murrell told a media conference call Thursday. “The chemistry will be there and we’re looking to improve our talent and our tenacity on the field.”

Thomas, taken in the first round (11th overall) by Toronto FC in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, was the first player signed by the Winnipeg entry in the new Canadian Premier League. 

The signing of Murrell and midfielder Glenn Muenkat to multi-year deals was announced Thursday. Valour FC coach and GM Rob Gale worked with all three players during his time as a Canadian national youth coach.

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Murrell, 25, was a third-round pick (57th overall) of Real Salt Lake in the 2015 MLS draft.

He signed with RSL’s USL affiliate, Real Monarchs, before moving to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and then Reno 1868 FC in 2016.

“Jordan is a player I had the pleasure to work with at the U-23 Olympic team level and skill-wise, resembles our first signing, Skylar (Thomas),” Gale said in a statement. “He is another exceptional character added to our organization, and we will be looking to his experiences and leadership to help build the right level of professionalism from day one.”

The 20-year-old Muenkat, a former member of the Toronto FC academy, had been playing in Germany for Kaiserslautern’s under-19 and reserve team

“Glenn is an exciting young talent and is a player I have known for quite a few years after working with him at the U-18 level,” said Gale. “The fact that an established European side took Glenn from Toronto FC shows the potential quality we are signing.”

Muenkat called Kaiserslautern a “great experience.”

Both players will join the team in Winnipeg for the start of pre-season in March. The CPL is scheduled to kick off its inaugural season in April.

“I’m super-excited about having a professional league again in Canada,” said Murrell.

“Playing with the full men’s national team has been a dream of mine … Day-in and day-out I’m training to get there,” he added. “And playing with Valour FC is a privilege. it’s an honour to be a part of this club.”

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press