BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Birmingham Legion FC announced on Wednesday that defender Derek Dodson has joined the club on a season-long loan from MLS side Minnesota United, pending league and federation approval. Dodson will be available for Legion FC’s match on Saturday at Sacramento Republic FC.
“We are excited to have Derek join Legion FC,” Club President and General Manager Jay Heaps said of the new addition. “He has proven playing experience at the USL Championship level and he is a high quality person that will fit well within our locker room.”
Dodson, 25, signed a contract with Minnesota United in January and has primarily been with the club’s MLS Next Pro team, having made six appearances – all starts – for Minnesota United 2 this season. He was an unused substitute for the first team’s match with the Columbus Crew on March 2.
“We wish Derek the best as he goes on loan,” said Minnesota United Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director Khaled El-Ahmad. “It’s important for him to continue to develop and get real minutes in highly competitive matches. We are happy he will be able to do so with a club like Birmingham Legion FC.”
No stranger to the USL Championship, Dodson was a stalwart on the backline for the Charleston Battery in 2023 with three goals and five assists in 39 appearances, which includes playing all 120 minutes in last season’s USLC Finals against Phoenix Rising FC. Prior to his time with the Battery, Dodson tallied three goals and three assists in 31 appearances with Memphis 901 FC in 2022.
This will be Dodson’s second MLS-to-USL Championship loan stint, having previously joined Hartford Athletic from Orlando City SC during the 2021 campaign. He scored a career-best five goals in 22 appearances that season, to go along with three assists.
A native of Aurora, IL, Dodson played collegiately at Georgetown from 2017-21, where he was named Big East Freshman of the Year, earned First Team All-Conference honors three times, served as captain for two seasons and helped lead the Hoyas to its first NCAA National Championship in 2019. He was drafted eighth overall by Orlando in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft.
TRANSACTION
Birmingham Legion FC has acquired Derek Dodson on loan from Minnesota United for the remainder of the 2024 season.
PLAYER BIO
Name: Derek Dodson
Position: Defender
Height: 6’1
Weight: 168
Jersey #: 14
DOB: 11/3/1998 (25)
Hometown: Aurora, IL
Nationality: USA
