HARTFORD, Conn. – Hartford Athletic announced on Thursday the club had signed goalkeeper Brooks Thompson ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Thompson comes to Hartford having most recently helped North Carolina FC win the 2023 USL League One title. Joining the club on loan from the Philadelphia Union II in July, Thompson made 17 starts and 54 saves, recorded four clean sheets, and posted a 1.27 GAA (fourth-best in League One). The 21-year-old came through in the League One Final against Charlotte Independence, making the decisive save in a penalty shootout to help NCFC claim its first league title.

“I’m thrilled to join Hartford and make the jump up to the Championship as the next step in my career,” said Thompson. “Coach [Brendan] Burke has a reputation for developing a competitive environment that is going to challenge us to be at our best every day. With the right attitude and the instruction of our talented and experienced coaching staff, I am excited about our club’s potential this season.”

The Jefferson, Indiana native signed his first professional contract at 18 years old with Sporting Kansas City in 2021, becoming the youngest signing in the club’s history. He made 12 appearances for Sporting Kansas City II in the USL Championship, making 41 saves and posting a 1.83 GAA. More recently, he joined the Philadelphia Union II, and saw action in MLS NEXT Pro before his loan to North Carolina FC midway through last season.

“Brooks is a valuable addition to our goalkeeping unit,” said Head Coach and General Manager Brendan Burke. “He’s shown promise in his young career so far, and we think he has the potential to be a starter in this league. He is the perfect young goalkeeper to push Renan [Ribeiro] in training every day, and he’ll help us become a top defensive unit.”