In 2021 Central Raleigh FC and Real Salt Lake would agree on a transfer deal to bring homegrown marquee player Danyal Afshari, to Southern Arizona. The transfer would come into effect concluding his final season for the 919, so before his move, a joint effort would be made to find a suitable replacement by him and his long-time coach Luis Rios Jr.

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  Across the U-23's and First Team, Niels Lupey was unanimously voted on as the priority signing for the 2022 season. Having just returned from a stellar two years in French football, he would join Central Raleigh FC.

 

  2022 was the year of Lupey, and no other player across UPSL Division One or the Eastern Carolina Conference League would create more chances than him. Across 17 matches, he would score 18 goals and collect 12 "Man Of The Match" awards.

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  Despite his amazing debut season, player funding at Central Raleigh FC would be cut significantly by then ownership group, OBR. To best care for NIels during the refinancing period, the board authorized a loan move to De Deacons FC in 2023.

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  2023 under De Deacons went off to a strong start, Niels resumed his form and scored in each of his first 4 appearances for the Blue & Yellow. Upon the conclusion of the 2023 regular season, Central Raleigh FC would change ownership, and the desire to keep Niels Lupey for the future cemented. Today he again plays a pivotal role in the attack, and serves as a constant threat to defenders no matter where he is on the field.