FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno FC announced on Tuesday it had signed Brazilian winger Jackson, pending league and federation approval. Jackson is a veteran in North American soccer, playing six seasons in Major League Soccer between FC Dallas and Toronto FC before leading the San Francisco Deltas to championship in 2017.

“Jackson is another quality signing for us,” said Foxes Head Coach Adam Smith. “He’s a guy that’s played at the highest level here and we’re happy to have him. He’s got electric pace that we know can hurt other teams and that’s why we brought him in. We’re hoping he can add another dimension to our team.”

The 30-year-old made his professional debut with São Paulo in 2007, and in 2010 he was loaned to FC Dallas and helped the club to the MLS Cup in his first season. Jackson scored 13 goals and notched 12 assists over 109 appearances in a four-year career with FC Dallas. At the end of the 2013 season, Jackson was traded to Toronto FC and made 53 appearances over 2014 and 2015, scoring five goals and assisting two more.

After a year in Brazil, Jackson returned to the United States when he signed with the Deltas for the 2017 campaign. He recorded one goal and four assists in 24 appearances with San Francisco.

MONARCHS ACQUIRE PALMA ON LOAN:  Real Monarchs SLC announced it had signed midfielder Luis Palma on loan from C.D.S. Vida ahead of the 2019 USL Championship season. Palma’s signing is pending league and federation approval and the receipt of his international transfer certificate (ITC) and visa.

“Although he just turned 19, Luis has extensive experience with numerous Honduras youth national teams,” said Monarchs General Manager Dan Egner. “He’s no stranger to the professional game either, and we believe his transition to Monarchs and the U.S. will be seamless. He’s a technical player who will fit in nicely with the pieces currently in place, and he will be a big part of what we do in the final third.”

Palma, 19, joins the Monarchs from C.D.S. Vida in Honduras where he spent the 2017 and 2018 seasons. During his time with Vida, Palma earned 948 minutes played across 17 matches played. The La Ceiba, Honduras native started 11 of those 17 matches and scored two goals in his two years with the club. Palma has also spent time with the Honduran national teams at the U-17 and U-20 levels.

He featured in the 2018 CONCACAF U-20 Championship where he played in six matches for Honduras as he helped his country qualify for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in May as it finished second to the United States in the final group stage ahead of Costa Rica.

“I am very happy to be here with the team,” Palma said. “I have set high expectations for myself to give my very best to the team this season.”

LOCOMOTIVE FC ADDS ENGLISH SHOT-STOPPER: El Paso Locomotive FC announced it had signed 25-year-old goalkeeper Jermaine Fordah, pending league and federation approval. Fordah was born in London, England and trained with the U23 side of the Premier League’s West Ham United for the 2016 and 2017 season.

Fordah was extended an opportunity to participate as a trialist for Locomotive FC during the club’s preseason after a positive initial stint with the team, and extended his time with his stellar performances in camp. After three weeks, he was offered a contract for the 2019 season.

“Jermaine has earned his way into the squad, from attending Invitational tryouts and then performing well during preseason. On the field he will be a great back up to Logan and will work hard every day to make our goalkeeper department a strong one,” said Locomotive FC Head Coach Mark Lowry. “In the locker room, his personality shines through and he brings a positive energy into the group which will be valuable throughout the season.”

ENERGY FC MAKES FIRST ACADEMY SIGNING: Goalkeeper Harrison Bouma made history for OKC Energy FC on Tuesday as he became the first player in club history signed to an academy contract. Currently a goalkeeper for the Oklahoma Energy Football Club ’00 team, Bouma recently moved back to Oklahoma City after being part of Sporting Kansas City’s Development Academy in 2017 and 2018.

Bouma’s academy contract will allow him to train and play with the first team without forfeiting his collegiate eligibility.

“We’re delighted for Harrison,” said Energy FC Head Coach Steve Cooke. “He comes to us having spent some time with Sporting Kansas City’s academy. We invited him in to train with us because we feel that he can give us a great deal in training every day, and now, he’s earned himself an academy contract. His attitude and commitment to getting better every single day epitomizes the type of mentality we want in this group.”

Bouma will get the opportunity to train and compete alongside experienced Energy FC goalkeepers Cody Laurendi and Bryan Byars, while also being reunited with goalkeeper’s coach Alexis Vizarelis.

“I’ve known Alexi since I was 10 or 11, and it’s been unbelievable working with him again as well as the goalkeepers,” said Bouma. “Byars and Laurendi are great and so are the rest of the guys. Everyone has been so welcoming, and they really make you feel like part of the team.”