New Mexico United signing Kris Shakes capped a stellar career at Penn State University by recording seven shutouts and a 0.79 goals-against average in 19 appearances last fall. | Photo courtesy Penn State Athletics
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – New Mexico United announced on Tuesday the club had signed goalkeeper Kris Shakes ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.
Shakes joins New Mexico following a standout collegiate career at Penn State University, where he made 73 appearances and posted 21 shutouts alongside a save percentage of 77.3 percent and goals-against average of 1.09. The 22-year-old was voted to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team in 2019 before earning All-Conference Second Team honors in his sophomore campaign.
Last fall, Shakes equaled his single-season high with seven shutouts in 19 appearances while posting a goals-against average of 0.79 and a save percentage of 81 percent as he allowed only 15 goals and made 64 saves.
“Kris is a terrific, young talent who has been truly impressive in our preseason, and is only going to continue to get better,” said United Sporting Director Itamar Keinan. “We’re fortunate to have such a terrific young player joining our team and can’t wait to see what he’ll accomplish on and off the pitch.”
Prior to his college career, Shakes competed for the Philadelphia Union Academy, during which time he was a USL Academy signing for the Philadelphia Union II in the USL Championship.