EL PASO, Texas – El Paso Locomotive FC announced on Monday it had signed Haitian international Mechack Jérôme for the club’s inaugural 2019 season. Jérôme is a former USL Championship All-League honoree, having been selected after a standout season with the Charlotte Independence in 2015.

“The quality that Mechack Jérôme possesses as a ball-playing center back is second to none,” said Locomotive FC Head Coach Mark Lowry. “His passing ability allows us to be creative with our build-up play and maintain possession of the ball even when under pressure.”

Jérôme began his professional career in the Ligue Haïtienne with Baltimore before making a move to the Portuguese Second Division with Mirandela. He then began his career in North America in 2010 and made 34 appearances for Orlando City SC in the USL Championship in the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

Jérôme’s performances for the Lions saw him make the move to Major League Soccer with Sporting Kansas City in 2013, where he made 12 appearances for the club. After being released midway through the 2014 season he had a brief stint with the Montreal Impact, but then made an impressive return to the Championship with the Independence the following season. Jérôme made 16 appearances for Charlotte in addition to featuring for Haiti at the 2015 Concacaf Gold Cup and earned All-League Second Team honors.

For the past three years, Jerome has competed for Jacksonville Armada, where he played for current Locomotive FC Head Coach Mark Lowry. He brings more than 200 games of experience across his professional an international career to El Paso for the club’s inaugural season, and Lowry is excited for what the 28-year-old will bring his side.

“As a defender, he has great 1v1 defending abilities, is good in the air and is a fantastic athlete. On top of being a very good player, his personality off the field is a class act,” said Lowry. “I am very excited to reunite with him and bring him to El Paso. Our fans are going to love watching him play.”