PHOENIX, Arizona (December 19, 2023) – Phoenix Rising FC has transferred forward Manuel Artega to fellow USL Championship side, Tampa Bay Rowdies for an undisclosed fee, the club announced today.
“I personally want to thank Manu for his contribution on and off the field,” said Rising Head Coach Juan Guerra. “He is a true leader. He is someone I consider family. I am grateful to him and wish him all the best. I know he is going to do well in Tampa.”
Arteaga, 29, signed with Phoenix on December 13, 2023. The Venezuelan ranked second on the championship-winning side in several offensive statistics including goals (15), chances created (32) and minutes per goal (187) in 37 league appearances. He led the team in shots (66), putting 53% of those on frame. Arteaga came off the bench to play the final 49 minutes in the USL Championship Final, burying the decisive penalty kick in the team’s 3-2 victory on November 12.
Arteaga began his career as a 16-year-old with Zulia in 2010. In five seasons in the Venezuelan first division, Arteaga scored 38 goals in 79 appearances. His final season at Zulia was his best. Arteaga scored 17 goals in 21 appearances, before playing for Croatian, Bolivian and Belgian first division sides between 2015 and 2017. In that time, Arteaga scored two goals in 19 appearances. He returned to the Venezuelan first division in 2017, scoring 27 goals in 62 matches for Deportivo La Guaira and Zamora.
Arteaga signed with USL Championship side Indy Eleven in 2021, leading the club in goals that season with 10 in 32 appearances. The forward netted another five goals and three assists in 2022. Arteaga was capped three times by the Venezuelan National Team in 2011.
Transaction: Rising transfers forward Manuel Arteaga to Tampa Bay
Name: Manuel Arteaga
Position: Forward
Height: 6-1
Weight: 160
DOB: June 17, 1994 (29)
Birthplace: Maracaibo, Venezuela
Previous club: Indy Eleven
Pronunciation: are-tee-AH-ga
Instagram: @ManuelArteaga7
ROSTERED PLAYERS (13):
Goalkeeper (1): Patrick Rakovsky
Defenders (3): Eddie Munjoma, John Stenberg, Juan Carlos Azocar
Midfielders (7): Panos Armenakas, Carlos Harvey, Jose Hernandez, Gabi Torres, Fede Varela, Renzo Zambrano, JP Scearce
Forwards (2): Erickson Gallardo, Dariusz Formella
