It appears that former Norwegian U23 midfielder Rune Bjørnstad Hagen is set to make the move across the Atlantic to join the Carolina RailHawks. Hagen, the twin brother of Norwegian international footballer Erik “Panzer” Hagen, is available to move on a Bosman transfer as his current contract with Greek Super League side Ergotelis has expired.

The 31 year old left-sided midfielder hails from Hønefoss, Norway and is known as "Elvis" to local supporters for his love of the American King of Rock and Roll. Hagen's professional career spans 10 years and includes stints with Norwegian football clubs IK Start, Strømsgodset I.F., Vålerenga, and Herfølge before moving to Crete for the 2006 season.

Although the RailHawks did not immediately return TSF's inquiries, a source close to the player confirms that the deal is done and Hagen will join the Carolina franchise in time for the inaugural 2007 season.

The Carolina RailHawks have announced today the signing of 3 more players to the 2007 inaugural season roster. Coach Scott Schweitzer will be turning to two-time teammate and 2006 USL-1 All-Star defender Frank Sanfilippo to steady his back line while adding former Richmond Kicker McColm Cephas and former Norwegian youth international Rune Hagen to his attacking options.

Sanfilippo joins the RailHawks after a spectacular season with Rochester which saw him named to the 2006 USL-1 All-Star team. The 2003 graduate of San Jose State University was drafted in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft by his hometown club. He transferred to Syracuse in 2004 where he played alongside his new head coach before making the transfer along with Schweitzer to Rochester in 2005. When Schweitzer retired from play at the beginning of the 2006 season, it was Sanfilippo that Rhinos' coach Laurie Calloway called upon to be a steadying force in the Rhinos defense and mentor a young Rhinos backline, who was decimated from the previous years' retirements, transfers, and injuries. Frank was equal to the task and helped lead the Rhinos all the way to the 2006 USL Championship match where they fell just short of winning their 4th USL title.

Also joining Sanfilippo in Carolina for the 2007 season will be McColm Cephas. The Liberian international spent the 2006 season on loan to the Virginia Beach Mariners, where he appeared in 12 matches for the Mariners. Prior to that, Cephas played two seasons for the Richmond Kickers while they were in the USL First Division. The Monrovia, Liberia native led Richmond in scoring in his first year for the Kickers, scoring 12 goals and being named a finalist for USL-1 Rookie of the Year honors.

The RailHawks have also confirmed the signing of Norwegian midfielder Rune "Elvis" Hagen. As we reported here about 6 weeks ago, Hagen is set to join the RailHawks on a free transfer from Greek side GS Ergotelis.

RailHawks roster updates

• Chris McClellan has signed with the club.
  
• Rune Hagen has been released by the club.
  
• Marcus Storey (Houston Dynamo, Columbus Crew, Carolina Dynamo, UNC Tar Heels) has joined camp on trial.
  
• The number of trialists has been reduced from 17 to 8.
  
• A veteran USL-1 defensive midfielder is rumored to have signed with the club, but no official confirmation has been given.
  

The full squad and trial rosters are detailed below:

With last night's scrimmage against Wake Forest, both the Carolina RailHawks current roster, as well as the full list of names of players in the training camp has now been released. A number of players who have not been officially announced by the RailHawks were shown on the matchday program as having been signed by Carolina. These players include Chad Dombrowski, Cooper Friend, Santiago Fusilier, Kevin Jeffrey, and David Stokes.

In addition to the 17 roster positions, the program showed a list of 17 players in camp vying for 5-6 remaining roster spots. Full details of both the squad and triailists rosters are given below: