HARTFORD, Conn. – Hartford Athletic announced on Monday the club had signed defender Jordan Scarlett ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Scarlett joins Hartford after a 2023 campaign with Louisville City FC that was cut short due to an knee injury after he had made only three appearances for the club. The 28-year-old brings extensive experience, however, having made 157 appearances in the league overall during stints with the New York Red Bulls II and Tampa Bay Rowdies since arriving in the league in 2017.

“I am genuinely appreciative to be back playing the game that holds my heart,” said Scarlett. “Being from New York and signing for Hartford feels like a homecoming, especially given my past experiences in the Eastern Conference. The enthusiasm of the fanbase in Hartford always resonated with me, and for that I am eager to have their unwavering support. We have a talented and exciting group of players on this team that I am confident our fans are going to love watching us every week.”

Scarlett spent three excellent seasons with the Rowdies between 2020 to 2022, serving as one of the club’s defensive leaders. Over 79 appearances he totaled 207 clearances, 121 interceptions, and 88 tackles won. The Rowdies reached the Eastern Conference Final in all three years of Scarlett’s tenure, and gave up a league-fewest 27 goals in 2021. In the same year, Tampa Bay posted a record-breaking, 891-minute stretch without allowing a goal while Scarlett anchored their back line.  

“Jordan is the type of player we’ve been looking to add in the back,” said Head Coach and General Manager Brendan Burke. “He is an aggressive defender, puts pressure on the ball, and is great in the air. He also brings a wealth of postseason experience to our group. I’m excited to watch him drive our core of defenders this year.”

Analysis

Jordan Scarlett will make his return to the pitch after injury brought his stay at Louisville City FC to a premature end, but has all the qualities that can make him a key piece on the right side of a potential three-man defensive line for Hartford Athletic. A former college standout at Iona, Scarlett has posted a career tackle-success rate of 68.2 percent on 197 won tackles in 154 appearances while also making 282 interceptions and posting a duel success rate of 62 percent.

As well as his defensive attributes, which saw him earn Championship All-League Second Team honors for the Rowdies in 2020, he is also solid on the ball with a passing accuracy rate of 80.6 percent for his career. As Hartford looks to rebuild at each level, Scarlett offers a good piece to build around.