The Charleston Battery are pleased to announce the signing of midfielder Briggs Gwozdo and forward Aarav Nihalani to USL Academy contracts on Thursday, pending league and federation approval. The duo was added to the club’s roster prior to the USL Roster Freeze on September 7.
A native of Summerville, South Carolina, Gwozdo has already amassed an accomplished résumé with South Carolina Surf SC and Pinewood Preparatory School, and is currently verbally committed to play college soccer at the University of Pennsylvania.
The 17-year-old midfielder was a two-time All-State and All-Region selection by the South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA), and won the 2024 state championship with Pinewood Prep. For Surf, Gwozdo was an ECNL U-17 All-American selection, a two-time Southeast All-Conference honoree and 2024 ECNL U-15 national champion.
Nihalani, hailing from Columbus, Indiana, arrives in the Lowcountry after making various stops with USL and MLS NEXT sides.
Nihalani, 18, most recently won the National Premier Leagues title with US Club Soccer youth team Columbus Express SC in July. The forward also competed for USL League One side Chattanooga Red Wolves SC on a USL Academy deal, for the academy teams of USL Championship outfits El Paso Locomotive FC and Indy Eleven, and MLS NEXT team Hoosier Premier Academy. Nihalani had a standout career at Columbus East High School, where he tied the school’s single-season varsity goalscoring record by a freshman.
“Aarav and Briggs are solid young players who have helped us train over the past few weeks,” said Head Coach Ben Pirmann. “Both are early in their football journeys, but we are proud that they are able to help the team while also taking the next step in their development processes.
“It is very important for our club to involve young players in our system. Whether it is just to train, or to be an academy signing, or work themselves into professional contract status. We are always looking for players who can help us win.”
USL Academy contracts enable youth players to gain experience at the professional level while still preserving their college soccer eligibility.
Gwozdo will wear number 36 and Nihalani will wear number 44. Both players will be available for selection for the Battery’s away match on Saturday against Birmingham Legion FC.