TULSA – FC Tulsa will add to its midfield through a loan for the 2021 season. 20-year-old Canadian midfielder Kembo Kibato will join FC Tulsa on a season-long loan from Rio Grande Valley FC for the 2021 USL Championship season, pending league and federation approval. Kibato arrived in Tulsa on Thursday and will be integrated into preseason camp immediately.
“We are very happy to welcome Kembo to FC Tulsa for the 2021 season,” said FC Tulsa head coach Michael Nsien. “Kembo is a player that I have seen demonstrate very high-level performances in the USL championship. He is an attacking midfield player with a huge engine, and his ability to cover ground effectively will add to our strong midfield core. On top of his playing ability, he is known to be a great person and teammate.”
Kibato, a 20-year-old Toronto, Canada native, is a product of the Toronto FC Academy, but made his professional debut in 2020 with RGVFC in the USL Championship. Kibato made 12 appearances for the Toros including nine starts. He scored his first professional goal against Austin Bold FC last season and added two assists in a 4-2 win over OKC Energy FC in Rio Grande Valley’s season finale.
"I’m excited to be in Tulsa and play for this club," said Kibato. "I look forward to the season!"
The loan of Kibato is FC Tulsa’s first loan agreement since the franchise moved into the FC Tulsa era entering the 2020 season. While Kibato’s rights will remain with Rio Grande Valley FC, he will play for FC Tulsa throughout the entirety of the 2021 season.
TULSA – FC Tulsa will add to its midfield through a loan for the 2021 season. 20-year-old Canadian midfielder Kembo Kibato will join FC Tulsa on a season-long loan from Rio Grande Valley FC for the 2021 USL Championship season, pending league and federation approval. Kibato arrived in Tulsa on Thursday and will be integrated into preseason camp immediately.
“We are very happy to welcome Kembo to FC Tulsa for the 2021 season,” said FC Tulsa head coach Michael Nsien. “Kembo is a player that I have seen demonstrate very high-level performances in the USL championship. He is an attacking midfield player with a huge engine, and his ability to cover ground effectively will add to our strong midfield core. On top of his playing ability, he is known to be a great person and teammate.”
Kibato, a 20-year-old Toronto, Canada native, is a product of the Toronto FC Academy, but made his professional debut in 2020 with RGVFC in the USL Championship. Kibato made 12 appearances for the Toros including nine starts. He scored his first professional goal against Austin Bold FC last season and added two assists in a 4-2 win over OKC Energy FC in Rio Grande Valley’s season finale.
“I’m excited to be in Tulsa and play for this club,” said Kibato. “I look forward to the season!”
The loan of Kibato is FC Tulsa’s first loan agreement since the franchise moved into the FC Tulsa era entering the 2020 season. While Kibato’s rights will remain with Rio Grande Valley FC, he will play for FC Tulsa throughout the entirety of the 2021 season.
