SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that the club has signed forward Quincy Amarikwa and defender Jordan Stewart to new contracts. Per league and team policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.
Amarikwa, 28, is a seven-year MLS veteran with 21 goals and 14 assists in 144 career games. Amarikwa was acquired by San Jose on June 26 from the Chicago Fire in exchange for defender Ty Harden. He tallied six goals, all of which came on the road, and four assists in 17 games for the Quakes during the 2015 season. He was one of only two players in Major League Soccer to score six or more goals while playing 17 or fewer games with a single club, joining Montreal Impact forward Didier Drogba. His six road goals ranked tied for eighth in MLS.
“Quincy was a good addition to our team when we acquired him,” said head coach Dominic Kinnear. “He quickly became an important part of the team and a piece that we wanted to keep as we head into 2016 and beyond.”
Amarikwa was originally drafted by San Jose in the third round (32nd overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft after playing collegiately for UC Davis. He later played for the Colorado Rapids (2010-12), Toronto FC (2012) and the Chicago Fire (2013-15).
Stewart, 33, appeared in 14 matches, making 13 starts, during the 2015 season before sustaining a season-ending injury. He notched his first career game-winning assist on May 16 against the eventual Eastern Conference Champion Columbus Crew SC.
“We are happy to bring Jordan back to the club,” said Earthquakes general manager John Doyle. “He has been a great leader for the organization both on and off the field and we’re happy to have his veteran presence in the locker room for another season.”
Stewart originally signed with San Jose in July of 2013, starting 12 matches for the club during the second half of the season. The following year, Stewart became one of the team’s most oft-used players, appearing in 30 games (29 starts) and tallying one assist. The former Leicester City defender has played both left back and center back for the club over the past three years.
Transaction: San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) – San Jose Earthquakes sign F Quincy Amarikwa and D Jordan Stewart to new contracts.
