JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Sporting Club Jacksonville announced on Tuesday the club had signed defender Wahab Ackwei and goalkeeper Esteban Casas and acquired defender Antonio Gomez on loan from Austin FC II ahead of the 2026 USL Championship season. The transactions are pending league and federation approval.

The signings round out the initial Sporting JAX USL Championship roster ahead of its inaugural season starting with a preseason game on February 21 at University of North Florida’s Hodges Stadium.

“Each of these players brings a different aspect to the game,” said Sporting JAX Men’s Head Coach Liam Fox. “They are hard workers and know exactly how to dig in and produce results that will help this team grow.”

Ackwei joins Jacksonville having most recently helped El Paso Locomotive FC reach the USL Championship Playoffs in the past campaign. The 29-year-old has made 107 appearances in the USL Championship since making his debut for New York Red Bulls II in the 2017 season, including being part of the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC side that won the league title in 2024.

A native of Ghana, Ackwei scored twice for Locomotive last season while logging 1,236 minutes and posted an 89.6 passing accuracy rate while defensively he recorded 14 interceptions and 50 recoveries.

“I think we are all very excited for what this is going to be,” said Ackwei. “It’s an opportunity to work with some very talented players and to be coached by an experienced staff who will push us to do better each day.”

Casas enters the professional ranks with Sporting JAX after spending time with FC Miami City in USL League Two this past season. The 22-year-old previously competed for Colombia’s U-15 Men’s National Team and is now aiming to continue his growth and develop his skills.

“I’m looking forward to being able to play at the highest level for such a great city,” said Casas, who joins Jake McGuire and Christian Olivares in Jacksonville’s goalkeeping corps. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time, and I’m happy to know that I get to experience it surrounded by such a good team and organization.

Gomez arrives having made 49 appearances for Austin FC II over the past two seasons in MLS NEXT Pro, recording one goal and one assist for the side. The 24-year-old had previously competed collegiately at California Baptist University, where he started and played in all 71 games throughout the 2020-2023 seasons and was named to the All-Western Athletic Conference Second Team in 2021

“It’s really just such a great opportunity and a chance to make history,” said Gomez. “To be a part of something that is starting from the ground up is a chance that any professional player would take. You get to be a part of building a culture which is something not a lot of people get to say.”