HARTFORD, Conn. – Hartford Athletic announced on Thursday the club had signed defender Sebastian Anderson ahead of the 2025 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Anderson joins Hartford having made nine appearances for the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer during the past campaign, logging one assist and three chances created in 504 minutes of action. A Homegrown Player signing in 2019, Anderson made 22 appearances for the Rapids over the past six seasons.

A native of Sacramento, Calif., Anderson reunites with Hartford Head Coach Brendan Burke, for whom he competed on loan with Colorado Springs Switchbacks in the USL Championship in the 2021 and 2022 seasons. The 22-year-old in particular had a stellar 2022 season with the side, recording a career-high six assists and 45 chances created in 22 appearances as he helped the Switchbacks reach the Western Conference Final of the USL Championship Playoffs.

“It’s very exciting to reunite with Sebastian,” said Athletic Head Coach and General Manager Brendan Burke. “He is a tactically adaptable and intelligent player with very good technical ability and he will be an impactful addition to our back line. Having a familiarity with his style and skills will make our planning, rapport, and execution that much stronger.”

In addition to competing for the Rapids, Anderson also spent time with the Rapids’ reserve team Rapids 2 over the past three seasons. His stints with Rapids 2 were highlighted by an impressive 2023 campaign in which the team went 13-1-0 in his 14 appearances and reached the Western Conference Semifinals of the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs.

Internationally, Anderson has competed for the United States’ U-17 and U-15 programs, including earning a spot on the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup squad. Earlier that year, he earned his U-17 cap at the 4 Nations Tournament in the Netherlands, en route to a 2-1 victory over Mexico.