SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sacramento Republic FC announced on Thursday the club had signed defender Jack Gurr to a new multi-year contract extension ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season. Per club policy, the full terms of the agreements were not disclosed.

Gurr joined Republic FC ahead of the 2022 season and during his first two seasons with the club appeared in all but nine matches, making 70 starts in 74 appearances while logging more than 6,000 minutes across all competitions. He was among the club’s leaders in clearances, interceptions, and assists in 2022, and his 49 chances created ranked third among USL defenders. He made six starts in six appearances in Republic FC’s historic run to the 2022 U.S. Open Cup Final.

The Englishman had a breakout season on the right flank in 2023 as Sacramento finished on top of the Western Conference standings and reached the Western Conference Final of the 2023 USL Championship Playoffs. In addition to setting a new career high with five goals and six assists, he led the league’s defensive players with 11 scoring contributions and 61 chances created – the most by a backline player since the 2019 USL Championship season. He also led the entire league in crosses (218). He was a key part of the league’s best defense in 2023, conceding only 26 goals in the regular season. Behind the ball, he won 28 tackles and made 160 recoveries.

“Over the past two seasons, Jack has proven himself to be one of the best two-way players in USL Championship,” said Republic FC President and General Manager Todd Dunivant. “His presence in our locker room is just as important as his presence on the field. We’re proud to have him wear our crest and are excited to see him continue to be an integral part of our club for years to come.”

“I’m happy to commit my future to the club and appreciate all the love and support I’ve been shown here in Sacramento,” said Gurr.

A fan favorite among Republic FC’s supporters, Gurr’s standout performance also earned him recognition from the league. Throughout the campaign, he saw five selections to the USL Championship Team of the Week and earned his first career All-League First Team selection, along with teammates Danny Vitiello and Conor Donovan, both of whom have previously signed multi-year extensions. He was also a finalist for the league’s Defender of the Year, where he finished second in voting, and was voted Team Defensive MVP by his Republic FC teammates.

Prior to joining Republic FC, Gurr had competed for Aberdeen FC in the Scottish Premiership. At Aberdeen, he logged 50 minutes in 10 appearances, including time in the Scottish Challenge Cup and UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying matches. Prior to Aberdeen, he played stateside in the Atlanta United FC system, marking his professional debut in 2020 with Atlanta United 2 and starting all 16 matches during the pandemic-shortened season. The campaign earned him a contract with Atlanta United FC of Major League Soccer, and in December 2020 he made an appearance in United’s win over Club América in the Concacaf Champions League Quarterfinals.

Analysis

Sacramento Republic FC ensured another key part of its squad will remain in the Indomitable City with the signing of Jack Gurr to a multi-year extension. The 28-year-was one of the most dynamic players in the USL Championship in the 2023 campaign and excellent value for the honors he earned, grading in the Top 10 overall in American Soccer Analysis’ Goals Added metric with a +8.21 rating, comfortably ahead of his closest competition at the full back position.

Gurr’s ability to break forward and not only deliver quality crosses into the penalty area but also underlap the midfield and finish himself makes him a key cog in Head Coach Mark Briggs’ system, and he figures to be a player to watch closely again in the upcoming season.