IRVINE, Calif. – Orange County SC announced on Thursday the club had signed defender Owen Lambe ahead of the 2023 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

The 22-year-old Santa Barbara native joins Orange County having made 61 appearances previously in the Championship for the LA Galaxy II, including a career-best 32 appearances this past season that saw him log eight assists.  Lambe also made one appearance for the Galaxy in the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and found the net against the California United Strikers FC in the Round of 32 during a 3-2 victory at Championship Soccer Stadium.

“I'm thrilled to be a part of this club and am looking forward to playing in games in front of energetic fans at Championship Soccer Stadium,” said Lambe said. “I have good memories of playing in OC and hope to continue to build on that and create more exciting moments for this club and community.”

Prior to making his professional debut with Los Dos, Lambe played one collegiate season at California State University, Fullerton. He saw his collegiate career cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but saw action in 19 matches in 2019. He tallied two game-winning goals and an assist for the Titans in his lone season, and was named to the Big West Conference All-Freshman team.

“We are excited to add Owen, a very talented and dynamic fullback to our roster,” OCSC General Manager and President of Soccer Operations Oliver Wyss said. “We are convinced that Owen has the ability to play on the next level, and we are looking forward to seeing him excel on and off the field in Orange County!”