SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio FC announced on Tuesday the club had signed veteran midfielder Jacori Hayes ahead of the 2023 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval, and per team policy terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Hayes spent the last six seasons in Major League Soccer, including the past three with Minnesota United FC. Since 2017, the 27-year-old has recorded two goals and five assists in 72 appearances and recorded 3,130 minutes of action in the MLS regular season, while also making three appearances in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.

Last season, Hayes had notched one assist in eight appearances before an injury ended his season prematurely.

“We are excited to welcome Jacori to the team,” said SAFC Head Coach Alen Marcina. “He is an experienced box-to-box center midfielder who provides added leadership to the team. Jacori is a tenacious ball-winner who is committed to relentless pressing actions, and excels at playing vertical penetrating passes. He is a great person who is highly motivated, and we feel will be a great team culture fit.”

Prior to joining Minnesota United FC, Hayes spent three seasons with FC Dallas, which selected him with the No. 18 pick of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft. During this time, Hayes spent a brief stint on loan with FC Tulsa during the 2017 season, where he made 10 appearances and notched one goal and one assist for the side.

Hayes previously had had a standout collegiate career at Wake Forest University, where he made 81 career appearances for the Demon Deacons and recorded 15 goals and 15 assists. During this time, he also competed in USL League Two, seeing action for the Portland Timbers U23s (2014) and D.C. United U-23 (2015).

San Antonio FC also announced on Tuesday that defender Michael Edwards had been recalled from his loan by the Colorado Rapids.