The Carolina RailHawks announced the transfer of midfielder Floyd Franks to Major League Soccer’s Vancouver Whitecaps FC pending USSF and ITC approval. As per club policy, details of the transfer will not be released. Franks will join eight other former RailHawks currently playing in MLS.  Signed in 2010, Franks logged 3,981 minutes in 50 appearances over his two seasons.  With Franks, the RailHawks experienced their two best seasons with a league finals appearance in 2010 and the NASL Regular Season Championship in 2011.

As a member of the NASL and a second division club since its inception in 2007, the RailHawks have continued to focus on the development of players, coaches, and front office staff.  Franks becomes the 16^th person from the RailHawks organization to move directly to a higher level. Four of the twelve players have included a transfer fee.

Name                                                  Position                      Current Club

Etienne Barbara (2010-11)                 Forward                       Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Jun Marques Davidson (2010)           Midfielder                    Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Jake DeClute (2009)                          Asst. Coach                 Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Floyd Franks (2010-11)                      Midfielder                    Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Josh Gardner (2009-10)                     Midfielder                    Montreal Impact

Tom Heinemann (2010)                      Forward                       Columbus Crew

Brad Knighton (2011)                          Goalkeeper                 Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Daniel Paladini (2009-10)                   Midfielder                    Chicago Fire

Caleb Patterson-Sewell (2009, 2011) Goalkeeper                 Atletico Clube de Portugal (Portugal)

Martin Rennie (2009-11)                     Head Coach                Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Paul Ritchie (2009-11)                         Player/ Asst. Coach    Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Marco Rosa (2007-10)                        Front Office                 Columbus Crew

Brad Rusin (2009-11)                          Defender                     HB Koge (Denmark)

Jonny Steele (2007, 2011)                   Midfielder                   Real Salt Lake

Matt Watson (2008-11)                        Midfielder                    Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Daniel Woolard (2010)                        Defender                     DC United

“The RailHawks organization wishes Floyd well as he gets this well deserved opportunity with the Whitecaps. Winning games, identifying, developing, and moving players on are important components of any highly successful second division professional team. Our history over the past couple of seasons shows we are making progress,” said RailHawks President Curt Johnson. “Also, transfer fees have been associated with four of these moves which is an important component of our business model. This is the best place in North America for players to develop and get their chance. We will reinvest the money received from Vancouver for Floyd in the acquisition and development of players. In addition, the RailHawks U23s have been a development arm for our organization. Our roster currently has 5 players from the program and two members of our 2011 USASA U23 National Champions are playing in the MLS and in Europe.”

After winning the 4^th Annual Hilton Garden Inn Durham Southpoint Community Shield Match on March 4^th the RailHawks continue their preparation for the 2012 NASL season. The RailHawks open the season visiting Minnesota on April 7^th. Fans will be able to watch all of the away games via live web streaming at www.CarolinaRailHawks.com. The 2012 home opener will be Saturday April 14^th at 7:00 PM. For more information on the RailHawks and tickets visit www.CarolinaRailHawks.comor call the Cruizers Box Office at 919-459-8144.