The Charleston Battery are excited to announce Tuesday the signing of Canadian defender Nathan Dossantos to the 2024 roster, pending league and federation approval.
The 24-year-old Ontario native joins the Battery after spending the previous two seasons with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. He goes from the Players' Shield winners to the Eastern Conference Title-Holders.
“I am looking forward to working with this talented group of players day in and day out,” said Dossantos. “The Battery have done a great job developing players and I feel it is a great location to continue my career and grow as both a person and player.”
Dossantos featured in 56 matches for the Hounds across all competitions from 2022 to 2023, recording three assists while developing into a regular starter along the back line. He registered 54 clearances, 38 interceptions, 26 tackles won and 115 duels won in 29 Championship games in 2023.
“Nathan is a very strong and aggressive defender, he can play centrally or wide and in a variety of systems,” said Head Coach Ben Pirmann. “He is good when building the ball from the back and is extremely accountable in his duels. Additionally, Nathan brings a lot of flexibility to our defensive group, is selfless and courageous, and will set the tone against our opponents to shut them down.”
Dossantos was selected 46th overall in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft by Orlando City SC prior to signing with Pittsburgh.
Before turning pro, Dossantos played collegiately at Duquesne University and later Marshall University, winning the 2020 NCAA College Cup with Marshall. Dossantos racked up numerous honors with the Thundering Herd in addition to the national title. He was named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team (2020), All-America (2020), First Team All-Conference USA (2020, 2021) and Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year (2021), among others.
Dossantos also played for USL League Two side FC Florida U23 while in college and was part of Toronto FC’s academy earlier in his career.
Along with being from Canada, Dossantos has ties to Portugal and Hong Kong via his parents.
Dossantos is ready to make his mark with the Battery.
“After speaking with Coach Pirmann, I was interested in joining this group because of the standards and ambitions of the club,” said Dossantos. “I’m excited to see everyone at Patriots Point and meet the fans and members of this great community for the first time.”
2024 Roster
Goalkeepers: Adam Grinwis, Daniel Kuzemka
Defenders: Leland Archer, Nathan Dossantos, Josh Drack, Juan Sebastian Palma, Mark Segbers, Graham Smith
Midfielders: Chris Allan, Robbie Crawford, Aaron Molloy, Arturo Rodriguez, Emilio Ycaza
Forwards: Jackson Conway, Diego Gutiérrez, Jake LaCava, Nick Markanich, Tristan Trager
