Spirits Acquire Juan Salazar & Wil Nyamsi from Utica City FC in Exchange for Nilton de Andrade

Lehigh Valley Adds Dynamic Forward and Experienced Defenseman in Trade

Lehigh Valley, PA – The Lehigh Valley Spirits have acquired forward Juan Salazar and defender Wil Nyamsi from Utica City FC in exchange for defender and 2026 Expansion Draft selection Nilton de Andrade.

The first-ever trade in team history brings two experienced players to Lehigh Valley as the Spirits roster continues to take shape ahead of the club’s inaugural 2026-27 Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) season.

Salazar, 27, arrives in Lehigh Valley following the most productive stretch of his professional career, recording nine goals and 11 points in just 11 contests between time with Utica City FC and the San Diego Sockers. In 36 career MASL appearances, he has totaled 20 points (14G-6A), establishing himself as an emerging talent in the league.

After spending the first three seasons of his professional career with San Diego since 2023, the 6-foot-1 forward was acquired by Utica City FC in a trade earlier this year on February 28 that also included de Andrade.

Born in Medellín, Colombia, Salazar moved to the San Diego, California area at age 16 and developed locally before beginning his collegiate career at California State University San Marcos. He later transferred to Point Loma Nazarene University for his senior season in 2022-23, where he immediately made an impact, leading the Sea Lions with eight goals and eight assists while earning First Team All-PacWest honors and PacWest Newcomer of the Year recognition.

Nyamsi, 30, joins the Spirits after spending the previous two seasons with Utica City FC. A steady defensive presence with extensive professional experience, Nyamsi adds leadership, and veteran stability to Lehigh Valley’s back line. In 81 career MASL games across seven seasons with the St. Louis Ambush and Utica City FC, he has recorded 21 points (11G-10A).

Prior to beginning his professional career with St. Louis in 2019, Nyamsi played collegiately for two seasons at Central Methodist University in Fayette, Missouri. During his time with the Eagles, he helped lead the program to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Championship while earning Conference Defender of the Year honors and First Team All-American recognition during his senior season in 2018.

A native of Paris, France, Nyamsi developed in the prestigious Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) Youth Academy from 2006 to 2013, laying the foundation for a successful professional indoor career.

With the additions of Salazar and Nyamsi, the Spirits add further depth, experience, and versatility to their inaugural roster as preparations continue for the club’s first season later this fall.

For more information, visit LVSpirits.com.