Hartford Acquire All-USL First Team Defender Edgardo Rito in Trade with Oakland Roots SC
Midfielder Jeciel Cedeño departs Hartford for Oakland after more than two seasons in Green and Blue as part of the deal.
Before Hartford Athletic’s 0-0 tie vs. Louisville City FC in what was only their second clean sheet of the season last weekend, head coach Tab Ramos expressed major concern over the state of his team’s defense.
Just over a week after telling the Blazing Musket that defensive acquisitions may be necessary to make much-needed improvements, Hartford announced Thursday morning the transfer of midfielder Jeciel Cedeño to Oakland Roots SC in a trade for 2022 All- USL First Team defender Edgardo Rito.
Cedeño announced his departure from the club via social media on Wednesday after more than two seasons with the club, much to the disappointment of the Hartford faithful. The fan-favorite was the Fan’s Choice Player of the Month in April, midway through his third season with the club.
His third season in a Hartford jersey proved to be his most successful, as the midfielder made seven starts in 10 appearances through the opening third of the 2023 season after making only six starts in his first two seasons. Along with an assist, Cedeño scored his first two professional goals in that stretch, the first of which came in a 2-1 win against his new club in Oakland. In total, the Ecuadorian clocked just over 1,100 minutes in green and blue.
“Hartford Athletic would like to thank Jeciel for his contributions to the club and wish him the best in his career going forward,” read an official club statement.
In exchange, Hartford receive a desperately-needed boost in the backline, one that leads the USL Championship with 24 goals conceded through 12 matches, having kept just two clean sheets in that time. Having dropped eight points off of three goals conceded in second-half stoppage time in 2023 with only two wins on the year, one of the top defenders in the USL Championship will be welcome sight for Hartford fans and coaching staff alike.
Rito comes to Hartford off the back of a career season with Oakland, registering five goals and seven assists as a wingback in 33 appearances. Commended by Tab Ramos for his technical skill and ability to join the attack, his breakout 2022 season culminated in a First Team All-USL selection at right back.
The 27-year-old picked up where he left off in 2023, registering a pair of goals and assists across 10 appearances for Oakland prior to his departure, going the full 90 all 10 times.
A player with USL experience dating back to 2019, Rito spend two seasons (2019-20) with New York Red Bulls II before spending a brief stint overseas. He scored two goals In 34 appearances with the NYRB’s USL affiliate, including five appearances against Hartford.
Before making the move to Oakland, the Venezuelan featured 32 times for Patriotas Boyacá of Colombia’s Categoría Primera A in 2021, registering three goals and two assists in almost 2,200 minutes of action.
Now, Rito’s next chapter will begin in Hartford, where a team struggling at the bottom of the Eastern Conference are looking to turn things around as they head into a season-defining summer stretch.
Rito will be available for selection for this Saturday’s match vs. Indy Eleven, set to kick off at 7 p.m. from Carrol Stadium.