OAKLAND, Calif. – Oakland Roots SC announced on Friday the club had signed defender Justin Rasmussen ahead of the 2024 USL Championship Season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Rasmussen joins Oakland from Portland Timbers FC of Major League Soccer, where he made 15 appearances across the past two seasons. This past campaign the 25-year-old made six appearances in the top flight and won 8 of 9 tackles while also making three interceptions and 28 recoveries. Additionally, he made 11 appearances on loan with the Portland Timbers 2 in MLS NEXT Pro, where he won 9 of 9 tackles and recorded 15 chances created and one assist as a left back.

“Justin will be a key piece to our squad as we fill out our backline headed into the home opener,” said Oakland Roots SC Head Coach, Noah Delgado. “His experience in MLS and with Timbers over the last two seasons makes him a player that has the experience but is still hungry.”

A native of Las Vegas, Rasmussen played college soccer at Grand Canyon University. Following a standout college career that saw him become GCU’s first United Soccer Coaches All-America selection in program history in the spring 2021 season, he was selected 27th overall in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft by Portland.