RENO, Nev. – Reno 1868 FC announced on Tuesday it has signed Jimmy Ockford, pending league and federation approval. Ockford, a former member of Seattle Sounders FC, is expected to play a crucial defensive role alongside Brenton Griffiths and Jordan Murrell for the expansion side this season.

“Jimmy is a very solid center back and a proven leader,” said 1868 FC Head Coach Ian Russell. “I believe he will make a big impact this year.”

The 24-year-old Ockford made 13 appearances on loan with Seattle Sounders FC 2 in the club’s inaugural season in the USL in 2015, and spent the past year on loan with the New York Cosmos and helped the club claim a league championship. 

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Prior to turning pro, Ockford competed in the PDL for Reading United AC, and also played collegiately for three years at Mount St. Mary’s University before he transferred to the University of Louisville for his senior year.

In his season at Louisville, Ockford was named the American Athletic Conference’s Defender of the Year as he scored four goals and helped the team record nine clean sheets on its way to winning the American Athletic Conference regular season title in 2013.