LEESBURG, Va. – Loudoun United FC announced on Wednesday that the club had signed defender Jacob Erlandson to a one-year contract with an option for the 2025 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

The defender spent the last two seasons competing with Columbus Crew 2 in MLS NEXT Pro, playing 25 matches across all competitions, having previously been selected by the Columbus Crew with the 40th pick of the 2022 MLS SuperDraft. In the past campaign, the 24-year-old helped lead the side to the MLS NEXT Pro Cup as the Eastern Conference title-winner as he won 96 duels at a 59.6 percent success rate, 46 aerial duels at a 65.7 percent success rate and made 31 interceptions and 135 recoveries.

“I had the pleasure of getting to know Jacob [Erlandson] as he entered the MLS Draft from Bowling Green State University,” said Loudoun Head Coach Ryan Martin. “He is a very athletic center back that is good in the air and hard in the tackle. He controls the line well and is extremely competitive. He is a great fit for our culture and ambitions; and we are very excited to welcome him to Loudoun.”

Before his professional career, Erlandson was named to the All-Mid-American Conference First Team twice at Bowling Green State University. He played in 32 matches for the Falcons, recording nine goals and six assists. Erlandson was named BGSU’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2021.