SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sacramento Republic FC announced on Thursday the club has signed midfielder Matt LaGrassa, pending league and federation approval. Per club policy, the terms of the contract were not disclosed.

“We are delighted to bring Matt back home to Sacramento. He embodies what this city and this club is all about,” said Republic FC President and General Manager Todd Dunivant. “He is another example of the top tier talent developed out of our region, and the team will benefit from his experience and leadership.”

LaGrassa joins Republic FC following four seasons with Nashville SC – two in the USL Championship and the past two in Major League Soccer. In 2018, as Nashville prepared to begin USL Championship play, he was one of the club’s first signings. Through two seasons, he made 71 appearances, tallying six goals and four assists – helping the team reach the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2019 USL Championship Playoffs.

The following year, LaGrassa was one of just four players retained by Nashville as the club made the move to Major League Soccer. Over two seasons, he maintained an 83 percent passing accuracy rate and recorded 15 key passes in 21 appearances as this past season the side reached the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2021 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs

The Elk Grove, California native began his professional career with his hometown club in 2016. He spent a majority of his rookie season in Sacramento, where he scored his first professional goal and logged 13 appearances, with two assists. In 2017, LaGrassa joined Reno 1868 FC and paired in the midfield with current teammate Luis Felipe. In his lone season in Reno, he logged 32 starts in 33 appearances, tallied a goal and three assists, and helped the team finish third in regular-season Western Conference play. Before logging his first professional minutes, Matt competed for USL League Two sides the Des Moines Menace (2012) and Ventura County Fusion (2013-15.)

LaGrassa is a graduate of Pleasant Grove High School (Elk Grove), where he earned All-Metro League honors after posting 26 goals and 10 assists in his senior season. During his junior and sophomore seasons, LaGrassa lead the Eagles in goals and assists, earning him an All-Delta Valley league recognition. While playing with local organization San Juan Soccer Club, he was selected to participate in Cal North’s Olympic Development Program three times.