SAN FRANCISCO – Gearing up for the season ahead, the Academy of Art men's soccer coaching staff has announced the first addition to its Fall 2022 recruiting class, as joining the Urban Knights will be Chris Stokes (London, England/Flagler College).

"We are delighted to add Chris Stokes to our incoming class for Fall 2022," said ART U Assistant Coach Danny Kirkland. "Chris has a great background and displays excellent leadership and technical ability. He will bring a huge presence to our back line and we are looking forward to working with him."

Coming in with two years of experience under his belt but considered an academic sophomore due, Stokes most recently played with Flagler College where he appeared in 14 contests while totaling 645 minutes, totaling one goal in each of the previous two seasons. Prior to college, the defender played for six seasons for Richmond Park Academy before graduating in 2020, serving as the team captain for all six campaigns.

Additionally, Stokes has also spent time with Hanworth Villa F.C. in 2018 and 2019, a football club based in Hounslow, England that are members of the Combined Counties League Premier Division. While with the Villains, Stokes was a member of the squad that beat two professional clubs while progressing through the seventh round of the Football Association Youth Challenge Cup, a tournament for under-18 teams in England.

When not on the pitch, the London-native can be found boxing, reading, cycling or doing yoga. His favorite team is Chelsea F.C., while his favorite sports moment was a header goal from Didier Drogba against Bayern Munich in 2012. Stokes will enroll in the School of Communications & Media Technologies upon his arrival at ART U.