PEORIA, Ill. -- Bradley Soccer has added some international flavor to its 2014 recruiting class with the announcement that German star Falk Dennert (Homburg, Germany/Heinrich-Heine Gymnasium) will join suburban Chicago product Bryan Dillberg (Mokena, Ill./Lincoln-Way East H.S.) in a growing class that now includes 10 newcomers for the 2014 season.

"Recruiting is a very fluid process and we are always in the identification process," said Bradley head coach Jim DeRose. "Having the opportuiity to add quality student-athletes to our program at a later date makes this recruiting class that much better and deeper."

Falk Dennert | Fr. | D | Homburg, German | Heinrich-Heine Gymnasium
Dennert excelled in the 2014 ProSoc College Showcase in April in Kaiserslautern, Germany, where he was seen by Bradley assistant coach Brian Barnett and identified as one of the top amateur players in Germany. Dennert has helped FC 08 Homburg advance to the highest level of amateur soccer in Germany and the team currently competes in the Regionalliga.

"Falk was arguably the top player at the Prosoc College Showcase in Germany this year," said Keith Tabatznik, Region I Boys Olympic Development Program Head Coach and former Georgetown University head coach. "He has an 'educated' left foot and plays with a maturity beyond his age. I project him to be a top Division 1 college defender and one of the best incoming players in the country."

"Adding the quality of a player such as Falk to our team for next season is phenomenal," said DeRose. "Coach Barnett had the opportunity to see him play over multiple matches and training sessions in Germany and did a fantastic job in establishing a relationship with Falk and his coaches.

"Falk is a left-footed, physical presnce with great experience," added DeRose. "He has led his team to multiple promotions in the German amateur system and was well on his way to becoming a professional. Falk's desire to pursue his education and open up his playing options shows his depth of maturity and we believe he has the opportunity to help us immediately."

"The demand for talented international soccer players is big for US college soccer," said Sebastian Korst of the ProSoc Showcase. "I am proud to say that German player Falk Dennert's recruitment to play for Bradley University speaks highly of international players. Falk has the right blend of soccer because of his understanding of the game and experience with high-level soccer. He will no doubt be a critical player for the squad."

Bryan Dillberg | Fr. | MF/F | Mokena, Ill. | Lincoln-Way East H.S. | Chicago Fire Juniors South
After helping Lincoln-Way East High School to the first conference championship in school history in 2012, Dillberg earned all-conference honors during his senior season by scoring 15 goals and dishing eight assists in 2013. During his prep career, he helped the Griffins to an IHSA super sectional appearance in 2011 and three straight regional titles from 2011-13. At the club level, Dillberg is a member of the Chicago Fire Juniors South program.

"Bryan is an extremely versatile player who has been asked to play multiple positions in his high school and club career due to his athleticism and versatility," said DeRose. "In each instance, his coaches have been extremely impressed in his desire to help the team in whatever manner necessary. Those qualities and his strong desire and affinity for Bradley University make him a great fit. We think he will lend great depth and has the chance to really blossom."

"After many years of training, Bryan came into his own during the club season before his senior year," said Kelly Kirchhoff, Premier Soccer Group Coach. "Bryan is blessed with height, speed and elevation which he uses to his advantage. He became a force for his club team and learned to play all field positions on both sides and the center of the field, but Bryan's advantage is to be able to attack with pace on the flank and drive to goal. When in this situation he makes the correct decision as to shoot or pass naturally, he makes the play that will benefit the team above his own prestige.

"Bryan has the desire to succeed and I expect to see his game continue to elevate through his time with Bradley," Kirchhoff added."

2014 Bradley Soccer Recruiting Class

Bradley returns 18 players from its 2013 squad that finished 14-7-2 overall, won the Missouri Valley Conference postseason tournament title and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Braves lost 10 players to graduation, however, including Valley Player of the Year and team scoring leader, Wojciech Wojcik, and three-time All-MVC goalkeeper Brian Billings. Rising sophomore Christian Okeke, the 2013 MVC Freshman of the Year, is Bradley's top returning scorer after posting 16 points on six goals and four assists. Okeke is one of 10 returning players to score at least one point last season.

Playing with a short roster during the 2013 spring season, the Braves went undefeated (4-0-1) in five exhibition games.