COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC announced on Thursday it had acquired defender Oskar Ågren on loan from the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer for the 2023 USL Championship season.

Ågren will be available for selection when the Switchbacks visit Sacramento Republic FC on Saturday night at Heart Health Park.

“I'm thrilled for the opportunity to come here and be a part of this club,” said Ågren. “I’m looking forward to getting on the field and winning soccer games with the Switchbacks.”

A native of Malmö, Sweden, Ågren arrives in Colorado Springs having yet to see action this season with the Quakes. The 6-foot-2 center back appeared in three games during the 2022 MLS season, all of which were starts, and recorded 250 minutes of action while recording nine clearances, five interceptions and a duel success rate of 83.3 percent.

Ågren joined the Quakes after being selected in the First Round of the 2022 MLS SuperDraft out of Clemson University. San Jose traded up to the 13th selection to bring aboard the 24-year-old, sending the 36th overall pick and $100,000 of General Allocation Money to D.C. United in compensation.

In his three seasons at Clemson University, Ågren made 61 appearances and recorded six goals and seven assists for the Tigers. He notched career highs in both goals (5) and assists (3) in his final season as Clemson won the 2021 NCAA Division I College Cup and was selected to Top Drawer Soccer’s Best XI First Team, College Soccer News All-America First Team, United Soccer Coaches All-South Region First Team, and the NCAA College Cup All-Tournament Team.

“Oskar is a person who is committed to his progression in the game and we really like the fact that he wanted to come here to push his development,” said Switchbacks Head Coach and GM Stephen Hogan. “As a player, we have watched him since his college days at Clemson and now at San Jose. He's very composed and shows high quality with the ball at his feet. And [he] has a real ability to break lines with both feet. We are excited to see him grow with us while competing to win games at our level.”