PHOENIX – Phoenix Rising FC announced on Wednesday it had acquired midfielder Jon Bakero on loan from Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC. Toronto will retain the right to recall Bakero at any point.

Bakero was selected fifth overall in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft by the Chicago Fire. He made four appearances with Chicago before being traded to Toronto FC. The 22-year-old has since made three appearances with Toronto, while also making eight appearances on loan in the Championship for Tulsa Roughnecks FC and Toronto FC II.

Bakero was named the MAC Hermann Trophy winner at the conclusion of his 2017 collegiate season at Wake Forest. The Hermann Trophy is awarded annually to the top collegiate soccer player in the country.

In 2016, Bakero spent time with USL League Two side FC Tucson, where he was coached by current Rising FC Head Coach Rick Schantz.