Hartford Athletic have signed USL Championship veteran Antoine Hoppenot ahead of the 2023 season, pending league and federation approval. Hoppenot comes to Hartford after spending the 2022 season with Detroit City FC.
“I’m thrilled to start this new venture with Hartford Athletic and get back on the east coast. Having played in the Eastern Conference against Hartford for years, I know how passionate the fan base is here and I promise to bring them desire and determination every single day. I can’t wait to get this season started and get to know this organization and community better. Let’s go win some games!”
In 2022, Hoppenot was a vital contributor to Detroit City’s 14-win season and Eastern Conference playoff berth. His playmaking ability was among the best in the league, scoring seven goals on 32 shots across 33 appearances. Hoppenot’s 11 assists led the Championship and earned him the Assists Champion award, and his 80 chances created led Detroit City and were third-most overall in the Championship.
“This is an important signing and a foundational piece for the roster we are building,” said Head Coach Tab Ramos. “Antoine Hoppenot has been an indispensable player in this league, and a consummate professional. He has a history of stepping up in big moments, shown by many clutch goals he’s scored in his career. With his years of experience, Antoine will be counted on to be a leader in our locker room and raise the standards of everyone around him both on and off the pitch. We are thrilled to welcome him to our club.”
Hoppenot, 32, has put together one of the best career resumes in the USL Championship. Over nine seasons, the French forward has recorded 38 goals and 44 assists in 201 appearances, making him one of only seven players to have recorded both 30 goals and 30 assists in the league’s history. His 44 career regular season assists put him at fifth overall on the all-time USL Championship leaderboard.
“As a top tier player in this league, Antoine Hoppenot is the kind of player that will help us grow as a club,” said Technical Director Ray Reid. “He has played at clubs where competing in the postseason is an expectation and a reality. That is the kind of club we aim to be and we’re thrilled to have Antoine on board to push us to that level.”
Hoppenot is a graduate of Princeton University, and was drafted by the Philadelphia Union in the MLS Supplemental Draft in 2012. He recorded seven goals and three assists across 69 appearances for the MLS side, before joining FC Cincinnati in 2016 for its inaugural season. He went on to play two seasons for both Reno 1868 FC and Louisville City FC before landing in Detroit in 2022. In 2019, Hoppenot played a key role in LouCity’s progression to the USL Championship Final. His late equalizer in second-half stoppage time against Indy Eleven in the Eastern Conference Final sent the game to extra time, where the visitors took a 3-1 win to advance to the title game.
Hoppenot joins Andre Lewis, Conor McGlynn, Prince Saydee, Robin Lapert, and Danny Barrera on the 2023 roster. More information on new and returning player signings will be available in the coming weeks.
