Rafael Diaz will bring his Red Bulls and Red Bulls II experience to Sacramento Republic FC. (Andy Mead/YCJ Photo)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Former St. John’s University standout and one-time Red Bulls and Red Bulls II goalkeeper Rafael Diaz has agreed to a United Soccer League contract with Sacramento Republic FC.

The contract, which has a club option for 2019, is pending league and federation approval.

“Raph has had three years in the Red Bull system, both with the first team and Red Bulls II, and is a great addition to our goalkeeping corp,” Republic FC general manager Todd Dunivant said in a statement. “His experience in an MLS locker room will be integral to setting the culture for our club.”

Díaz, who was with the Red Bull organization for three years, joined Red Bulls II after playing the 2014 season with Orlando City SC. He spent two seasons with the USL side before moving to the Major League club in 2017. Díaz made 23 USL appearances over four seasons, recording a 1.29 goals-against average.

He played four seasons at St. John’s University from 2009-2013. Diaz holds the school record for shutouts with 32, including a career-high nine in his senior year when he also recorded a 0.80 GAA.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.