The Swope Park Rangers have signed midfielder Tomas Granitto and defender Jimmy Mulligan ahead of the 2016 USL season. Granitto signs from North American Soccer League side FC Edmonton, while Mulligan signs on loan from reigning NASL champions the New York Cosmos. Granitto will be added to the roster pending the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
Granitto joined the Rangers at the start of preseason camp, while Mulligan linked up with the team in Tucson. Both players played in all four Desert Diamond Cup games, with Mulligan recording an assist against the Colorado Rapids on Feb. 17 and Granitto finding the back of the net against Columbus Crew SC on Feb. 24.
Granitto, 22, spent the 2015 season in the NASL with FC Edmonton. Born in El Salvador but raised in Weston, Florida, Granitto made 12 appearances in the NASL last year, six in the Spring Season and six in the Fall Season. He also made three further appearances in the Amway Canadian Championship, including two against Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Prior to joining FC Edmonton, Granitto played for Salvadorian side CD Luis Angel Firpo, where he gained experience in the CONCACAF Champions League – starting against CD Victoria of Honduras. He also played one season of collegiate soccer at Florida Gulf Coast University.
In 2013, Granitto made three appearances for El Salvador at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup, earning starts against Australia and Colombia.
“Joining the Swope Park Rangers is an important move in my career,” Granitto said. “I am proud to be part of an organization where the players and staff have the same goals and ambitions. I am very excited to start the regular season, and help the team achieve our goals.”
“Tomas is a midfielder that possesses the type of qualities that we were looking for,” Rangers head coach Marc Dos Santos said. “He could play in the three different spots of our midfield, he's still very young and with a great margin for progression. Above all this, we think he has the right mentality to succeed and help the squad, and this is something that is very important for us.”
Mulligan, 24, joined the Cosmos in 2014 following a four-year college career at St. John’s University. As a member of the Red Storm, Mulligan made 80 appearances, scoring eight goals and adding nine assists. While in college, Mulligan also suited up for the Long Island Rough Riders of the USL Premier Development League.
After completing his college career, Mulligan signed for the New York Cosmos in 2014. He made his debut for the club on Oct. 25, 2014, playing the full 90 minutes at right back in a 2-2 draw with the Tampa Bay Rowdies. He went on to make seven total appearances with the Cosmos, including five in all competitions last season as the New York side claimed the NASL Championship in 2015.
Mulligan also played for New York Cosmos B in the National Premier Soccer League in 2015, helping the side go unbeaten in the regular season before starting in the Cosmos’ 3-2 win over Chattanooga FC in the championship match.
“I’m really excited to join the Swope Park Rangers. It’s a big step in my career,” Mulligan said. “It’s a new organization for me, a new team and I’m really happy to be a part of it. I want to thank the Cosmos for the opportunities they’ve given me and this is another great chance to progress in my career.”
“Jimmy has the characteristics that he can play in many positions along the backline,” Dos Santos said. “I’ve known Jimmy from his time with the New York Cosmos the last two years and I think he’s a player with a lot of potential – good qualities, good on the ball, very energetic, works very hard, joins the attack well and is an excellent person.”
VITALS
Tomas Granitto (TOH-mas GRAN-EE-toh)
Position: Midfielder
Born: 6/12/93 (22 years old)
Height: 5-11
Weight: 165 lbs.
College: Florida Gulf Coast University
Last Club: FC Edmonton (NASL)
Hometown: Weston, Fla.
Birthplace: San Salvador, El Salvador
Citizenship: USA
Twitter: @tomasgranitto
Instagram: @tomigranitto
VITALS
Jimmy Mulligan
Position: Defender
Born: 8/12/1991 (24 years old)
Height: 5-8
Weight: 160 lbs.
College: St. John’s University
Last Club: New York Cosmos (NASL)
Hometown: Medford, N.Y.
Birthplace: Medford, N.Y.
Citizenship: USA
Twitter: @JMulligan7
