OAKLAND, Calif. – Oakland Roots SC announced on Thursday the club had signed veteran midfielder Rafael Baca for the remainder of the 2024 USL Championship. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

The 34-year-old midfielder most recently played for fellow USL Championship club Monterey Bay F.C., where he recorded one goal in 19 appearances this season while also posting a passing accuracy rate of 84.1 percent and notching eight chances created.

“Rafa, is a very talented veteran player who has played at the highest levels of the game in our region. We are excited to add Rafa to our roster as we push towards the postseason,” said Roots Head Coach Gavin Glinton. “The qualities and calmness he possesses on the ball in midfield will be an added boost to our squad as we head down the stretch run of the season.”

A native of from Tuxpan, Michoacán, Mexico, Baca began his professional career with the San Jose Earthquakes in Major League Soccer, where he helped the team win the 2012 Supporters' Shield during three seasons.

After his time in San Jose, he joined top Liga MX side Cruz Azul in 2014, where he became a mainstay over the next nine years. During his tenure with Cruz Azul, Baca helped the team secure several titles, including the 2021 Liga MX Guardianes, the 2018 Copa MX Apertura, the 2019 Supercopa MX, the 2021 Campeón de Campeones, and the 2022 Supercopa de la Liga MX.