SEASIDE, Calif. – Monterey Bay F.C. announced on Friday the club had signed forward Jesse Maldonado in advance of its inaugural USL Championship season. The signing is pending league and federation approval.

Maldonado will enter his first professional campaign at Monterey Bay after one successful year at Yavapai College in Prescott, Arizona. At Yavapai, Maldonado earned 10 starts in 14 appearances and recorded a team-high 11 goals and seven assists, including three game-winning goals and four multi-goal performances. The 19-year-old earned NJCAA Third-Team All-America, First-Team All-Conference, United Soccer Coaches All-Region and First-Team All-Region honors in his freshman year at the Arizona school.

“Jesse was a player I spotted at a combine in Phoenix and felt I saw enough to sign him on the spot,” said Monterey Bay F.C. Sporting Director and Head Coach Frank Yallop. “He’s a young, exciting winger and I look forward to working with him.”

The soon-to-be rookie joined Yavapai College after graduating from Hamilton High School in 2020 where he was named Hamilton Player of the Year in 2018. In 2019, he was named to the Arizona Republic’s All-State team.

“This is a great opportunity for me to grow as a player,” said Maldonado. “I am excited to take on the challenges ahead. Everything is new to me, so I am excited to see everything that’s in store for me.”