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

Hairston comes to Hartford after most recently spending two seasons with the Columbus Crew of Major Leaue Soccer. The 29-year-old has played eight seasons in the top flight after being selected by the Colorado Rapids in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft, with additional stops at Houston Dynamo FC and Minnesota United FC. Over that span he made 140 appearances and recorded more than 9,000 minutes of action in the regular season while also making six postseason appearances.

“The team in Hartford has put together a very talented group of players and I look forward to competing with the squad to bring success to the club,” Hairston said. “Hartford is a club that is growing fast and has developed a fanbase that has shown their undying support for the beautiful game. I’m very excited to be part of this project.”

Hairston briefly spent time in the USL Championship at the start of his career, joining the Charlotte Independence on loan from the Rapids in 2015. A native of Jackson, Miss., he competed for the University of Louisville before joining the professional ranks.

“Adding a player with Marlon’s skillset has been a big point of emphasis for us,” said Hartford Head Coach and General Manager Brendan Burke. “He is effective in the midfield and in the back, and that ability is so important to have on our roster over a 34-game season with injuries and international call-ups. To add a player with nearly 150 MLS appearances who is still in his prime is massive, and we couldn’t be happier to have Marlon in Hartford this year.”

Analysis

Marlon Hairston’s arrival at Hartford Athletic offers an intriguing midfield option given his extensive experience in the top flight. After a year out of the professional game, Hairston will be looking to show early on he’s not lost his edge after posting a career passing accuracy rate of 82 percent in MLS while recording seven goals and 14 assists in the regular season.

Hairston will also have a familiar face waiting for him in Hartford, with fellow Jackson, Miss. native Marcus Epps having also joined the Athletic this offseason. After working out together during past offseasons to remain sharp, the combination could be an interesting one to watch this season.