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

Presthus joins the professional ranks having most recently competed at Yale University, where this past season he earned All-Ivy League First Team honors and was recognized on the United Soccer Coaches All-Region Second Team. Presthus started all 16 games in the 2024 season, recording four goals in 1,382 minutes of action.

“TJ is a talented and versatile young player whose strong work ethic aligns well with our team’s identity,” said Athletic Head Coach and General Manager Brendan Burke. “He’s sharp on both sides of the ball and brings a combination of leadership, athleticism, and composure that will be invaluable throughout the long season. I’m eager to see his development and the many ways he can contribute to our squad.”

Before his collegiate success, Presthus honed his skills with the Columbus Crew SC Academy. Notably, he captained the U15 team to a first-place finish in the Mid-America U.S. Soccer Development Academy division in 2017. He was the only Crew player to play every minute of every game during the U17 Generation Adidas Cup, leading the team to the semifinals in 2019. His performance the following year, primarily playing up with the U19 squad, earned him the Crew SC Academy Player of the Year award in 2020.

Throughout his time at Yale, Presthus has been a consistent and reliable figure, being the only player to start all 70 games over his four-year career. His contributions were instrumental in the Bulldogs’ victory in the inaugural Ivy League Tournament and their advancement in the NCAA Tournament, both in 2023.