MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Former West Virginia University men’s soccer defender Jack Elliott has signed with Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union, the club announced on Friday.
Elliott was drafted in the fourth round, 77th overall, by the Union in the 2017 Major League Soccer SuperDraft. The London, England, native will be added to the Philadelphia's active roster following the receipt of his P-1 Visa.
“Congratulations to Jack on signing his first professional contract,” WVU coach Marlon LeBlanc said. “He’s been one of the best to ever come through this program and we are extremely proud that he gets to move on to the next level as a professional with the Philadelphia Union.”
“We are excited to welcome Jack to the Union as he officially signs an MLS contract and joins our centerback group,” said Philadelphia Union Sporting Director Earnie Stewart in the Club’s statement. “When you look at Jack, the first thing you notice is his height, an asset that we believe will serve him well as a professional. He is a good passer who reads the game well. He has performed well in preseason and we look forward to working with him this season and beyond."
Elliott joins fellow WVU alum Raymon Gaddis on Philadelphia’s roster. Gaddis, who played at West Virginia from 2008-11, has played in the MLS for the Union since 2012.
In preseason camp with the Union, Elliott played all 90 minutes in the teams’ 1-0 victory over Tampa Bay on Feb. 18. He also entered Philadelphia’s match in the 63rd minute in a 2-2 draw against Montreal on Feb. 22
Elliott played in 72 career matches for the Mountaineers with 66 starts. In 6,039 minutes, he scored six goals and recorded five assists. In his four years with the Gold and Blue, he missed just one match. As a senior in 2016, Elliott anchoring a back line that recorded eight shutouts, including a shutout streak that lasted a program-record seven consecutive matches and 758 minutes.
Elliott has earned numerous national accolades throughout his West Virginia career. In 2016, he was named to the Scholar All-America Second Team and the All-Great Lakes Region First Team by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).
He also was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team, becoming WVU men’s soccer’s first ever three-time Academic All-America honoree. Elliot was recognized as a Distinguished Scholar-Athlete and on the All-Mid-American Conference (MAC) Team twice in his career.
A Management Information Systems major, Elliott’s academic honors also include mention on the Academic All-MAC and Academic All-Big 12 At-Large teams, the Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll, the President’s List and the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll throughout his career.
