LAS VEGAS – Las Vegas Lights FC announced on Tuesday it had signed defender Nate Jones on a season-long loan from the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Jones made a total of 26 appearances for Colorado Rapids II during the 2024 MLS Next Pro season, playing a total of 2,167 minutes. The 23-year-old was acquired by the Rapids from Austin FC, which had selected the Generation adidas signing with the No. 5 pick of the 2024 Major League Soccer SuperDraft.

“We’re delighted to welcome Nate to the Lights. He’s a center back with a very interesting profile and good potential after being drafted fifth overall last year,” said Lights Sporting Director Gianleonardo Neglia. “He will help us in the traditional defensive sense, but also with the distribution and balance he can bring to the back line as a left-footed player. We’re looking forward to bringing him in for preseason as we get ready for the 2025 season.”

Jones played youth soccer in the Seattle area until 2020, when he committed to play for the University of Washington. He made 58 appearances for the Huskies, scoring five goals and being named to the All-Pac-12 Second Team after his junior year and the All-Pac-12 First Team after his senior year.

He also competed in USL League Two for Vermont Green FC, making nine appearances in the 2023 season before returning to the Pacific Northwest for his senior season with the Huskies.