PFC stabilizes defensive unit with the signing of Jalen Watson on loan from TFC ll

Pacific FC have reinforced their defensive unit as they have announced the signing of Jalen Watson on loan from Toronto FC ll.

The 23-year-old from Mississauga, ON, was drafted 32 overall by Toronto FC in the 2023 MLS Superdraft.

Here we go 🤝

Welcome to the Island, Jalen Watson!

Watson joins us on loan from @TorontoFCII for the rest of the season to add depth and versatility to our defensive unit 🔱https://t.co/pHurar0CVl#ForTheIsle pic.twitter.com/GFcFI0CPYr

— Pacific FC (@Pacificfccpl) August 18, 2023

The signing of Watson comes just two days after the club announced that Eric Lajeunesse would be returning to his UBC Thunderbirds squad.

Pacific FC Head Coach James Merriman says that his positional versatility will be something that they can utilize for the remainder of the season.

“Jalen is an intelligent defender who can play at centre or left back,” stated Merriman. “He brings a good character and will make a great addition to our team.”

Watson started to earn recognition from teams in the MLS after his remarkable collegiate career with Pennsylvania State University. He appeared in 59 games for Penn State where he was named to the Big-10 All-Freshman Team in 2019 and Academic Big-10 honours in 2020 and 2022. He finished off his collegiate career in his senior year by being named to the Big-10 All-Tournament team in 2022.

NEWS | Toronto FC II has sent defender Jalen Watson on loan to @Pacificfccpl of the Canadian Premier League (CPL) for the remainder of the 2023 season.

📰: https://t.co/LY2jv8ctfn#TFCLive pic.twitter.com/Z2CkC3wWCh

— Toronto FC II (@TorontoFCII) August 18, 2023

Watson will join the Tridents for the final push of the regular-season as they approach the final nine games of the schedule.

PFC will look for a massive win tomorrow as they travel into Vancouver for the west-coast derby matchup.