SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes have signed defender Jamar Ricketts to a contract for the 2024 MLS season with club options through 2027. Ricketts was selected in the first round of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft (No. 13 overall) in December.
“We’re excited to sign Jamar to a first-team contract,” said Earthquakes general manager Chris Leitch. “We believe he was among the top left backs in the draft when we selected him, and we were pleased with his performance throughout the preseason.”
Ricketts, 22, played three seasons with CSU Northridge, earning back-to-back All-Big West First Team selections (2023, 2022) and United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-Far West Region honors in 2022. In 2023, he notched career highs of eight goals, five assists, 21 points, and three game-winning goals. Ricketts finished his collegiate career with 16 goals and 10 assists in 55 appearances (all starts) for CSUN. This past summer, he featured for USL League Two side Ventura County Fusion, helping lead them to the national quarterfinals.
A native of Montclair, New Jersey, Ricketts also played for St. Benedict’s Preparatory School and Cedar Stars Academy, an MLS NEXT club program. He featured in all three of the club’s preseason matches at the Coachella Valley Invitational.
Jamar Ricketts
Position: Defender
Height: 5-9
Weight: 165
Born: Oct. 24, 2001
Hometown: Montclair, New Jersey
Preferred Foot: Left
College: California State University Northridge
Roster Designation: Domestic
Transaction: San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) – Earthquakes sign SuperDraft selection D Jamar Ricketts to a contract for the 2024 season with club options throughout 2027.
