CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery announced on Friday the club had signed forward Jake LaCava to a multi-year contract ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

LaCava has been one of the rising stars in the USL Championship over the past three seasons. He has recorded 26 goals and 14 assists in the league in 105 appearances across the Championship’s regular season and playoffs for the New York Red Bulls II and Tampa Bay Rowdies, while also bringing experience from Major League Soccer with the New York Red Bulls and Inter Miami CF.

“I’m really looking forward to getting to work with the guys and the group here; playing, competing, winning games and improving every day,” said LaCava. “I’m also excited about the experience of living somewhere as nice as Charleston. I’ve heard great things about the area and community and can’t wait to see everything.

“I’ve played against Charleston multiple times over the years and each time I’ve loved the atmosphere inside the stadium. After seeing the Battery have such a good season last year, I’m looking to help build on that by adding what I do best. It’s a very good squad and I’m eager to contribute to the success of the upcoming season.”

The 22-year-old was also a finalist for the 2022 USL Championship Young Player of the Year while on loan with the Tampa Bay Rowdies from the Red Bulls.

“Jake has demonstrated his abilities to be one of the best young players, and one of the better-attacking players overall, in the USL,” said Battery Head Coach Ben Pirmann. “He has had excellent experiences within MLS as well, showcasing his talents and capabilities.

“LaCava is a fearless and direct attacker that can play in a variety of forward positions. He can score, create, and set up his teammates and will work his socks off for our club and his teammates.”

Analysis

The Charleston Battery have pulled off a tremendous coup in signing young forward Jake LaCava, whose quality in front of goal and ability to play multiple positions should see him quickly fit in among Charleston’s attacking corps. LaCava has come into his own over the past two seasons on loan with the Tampa Bay Rowdies with 15 goals and seven assists in 59 appearances which came on a shooting accuracy rate of 62 percent and shot conversion rate of 21.1 percent.

The 22-year-old is only just aging out of eligibility for the Championship’s Young Player of the Year award and seemed a potential addition for another MLS club in Thursday’s Re-Entry Draft. That he wasn’t is a major gain for the Battery with a forward who seems only set to get better from here.