The Carolina RailHawks brought in their biggest name so far this offseason as the team signed 20-year-old defender Gale Agbossoumonde on Thursday.

Agbossoumonde has experience playing on the U-23 U.S. men's national team. He comes to Carolina on loan from Portuguese franchise Estoril Praia.

The defender is in his last year of a contract with Traffic Sports USA, which also owns the RailHawks.

After struggling to receive much playing time in his previous stops in Germany, Sweden and Portugal, Agbossoumonde reportedly turned down offers from Major League Soccer this season.

Agbossoumonde is also hoping his time in Carolina can prepare him so he could make the U.S. team for this summer's Olympics, according to a RailHawks' press release.

"The RailHawks have been one of the top organizations in the NASL," Agbossoumonde said in a statement. "I want to be part of the continued growth and help bring the club a championship. I know the coaching staff will assist with my continued development and help me prepare for my time with the U-23 National Team and rest of my career."

ESPN.com recently named Agbossoumonde one of the top 10 American players under age 21. In 2010, he was named U.S. Soccer's Young Male Athlete of the Year, joining Landon Donovan and Jozy Altidore as former recipients.

Agbossoumonde is one of just three defenders under contract for the RailHawks next season.

"We are very happy to have Gale be a part of our 2012 campaign. We are looking forward to see him perform on the field and earn his spot for the Olympic team," said RailHawks head coach Colin Clarke in a statement. "He is a talented young player and he will play a big role for us in defense."

Agbossoumonde received his first call to the senior national team, earning his first cap on his birthday, Nov. 17, against South Africa.

Agbossoumonde's signing happened on the same day that NASL expansion franchise San Antonio announced it had signed RailHawks forward Pablo Campos. Campos tallied 15 goals - second most in the league - in 2011.

Also last week, Carolina announced the re-signing of midfielder Chris Nurse.