OAKLAND, Calif. – Oakland Roots SC announced on Wednesday the club had signed defender Camden Riley ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season, bringing the former University of the Pacific standout back to Northern California. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Riley was part of University of the Pacific between 2015-18 and left the program as its all-time leading goalscorer while also twice earning All-West Coast Conference First Team honors, and 2018 United Soccer Coaches All-America Second Team selection. The 27-year-old has played in the USL Championship for the past five seasons, recording 111 appearances across the regular season and playoffs, having spent   the past two seasons with San Diego Loyal SC.

“Camden is someone we have battled against in the past and know the qualities he possesses and how hard he is to break down,” said Roots SC Head Coach Noah Delgado. “We can’t wait to have him battling for us in 2024.”

Riley got his professional start when he was selected in the 2019 MLS Superdraft by Sporting Kansas City. He would go on to play for Sporting Kansas City II 37 times in 2019 and 2020 scoring one goal for the USL Championship side. In 2021 Riley remained in the USL Championship playing for Rio Grande Valley FC, before ultimately joining SD Loyal in 2022.

Analysis

Camden Riley’s arrival is the first piece in the rebuilding of Oakland’s back line for the new season with the Texas native having shown adeptness in filling the right side of a back three during his time in San Diego. Riley logged more than 2,000 minutes in a campaign for the first time this past season, recording 53 clearances, 14 interceptions and 118 recoveries.

Overall, he’s logged almost 7,000 minutes in the Championship in his career while posting a 56.4 percent duel success rate and 62.2 percent tackle success rate. This isn’t a signing that will necessarily wow fans, but it’s a solid piece for Head Coach Noah Delgado to have at his disposal.