SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sacramento Republic FC announced on Wednesday the club had signed midfielder Nick Ross ahead of the 2022 USL Championship season, pending league and federation approval. Per club policy, the terms of the contract were not disclosed.

“Nick has anchored one of the best midfields in the league the past three seasons,” said Republic FC President and General Manager Todd Dunivant. “He is comfortable on the ball and has a calm and assured leadership style that will be an asset both on and off the field.”

The 30-year-old Scot joins Republic FC following three years at fellow USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive FC. One of Locomotive FC’s first signings ahead of its inaugural 2019 season, Ross played an integral role in helping lead the club to consecutive Western Conference Final appearances in 2019 and 2020.

Over the past three seasons, Ross has recorded 76 appearances across the regular season and 5,869 minutes of action, second-most in both categories for El Paso. He has also tallied six goals, eight assists and 71 chances created while posting a cumulative passing accuracy rate of 88.8 percent.

Before coming to the United States, Ross competed in his native Scotland, climbing through ranks of the Scottish Professional Football League. He first rose out of the youth development program at Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C.—then in the second-tier Scottish Championship—and made his debut with the first team in 2009, helping the club win the Inverness Cup and secure a promotion to the Scottish Premiership. He stayed with Inverness through 2015 when the club won the Scottish Cup, adding 14 goals and 16 assists in 175 appearances across all competitions.

Ross then signed with Dundee F.C. of the Scottish Premiership, tallying one goal and one assist in 44 appearances and later returned to his homeland to join Highland League side Brora Rangers FC in 2018. Ross has also represented Scotland on the international stage with one goal in two caps with the U21 national team in 2010.