Niki Jackson

Niki Jackson
Personal information
Date of birth (1995-08-25) August 25, 1995 (age 29)
Place of birth Vicksburg, Mississippi, United States
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 San Diego Loyal
Number 12
Youth career
–2007 SCSA Falcons
2009–2010 West Coast FC
2011 FC Phoenix
2013–2014 Real Salt Lake
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2017 Grand Canyon Antelopes 69 (41)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018–2020 Colorado Rapids 19 (3)
2018 → Colorado Springs Switchbacks (loan) 4 (0)
2019 → Charlotte Independence (loan) 23 (5)
2020 → Colorado Springs Switchbacks (loan) 0 (0)
2021– San Diego Loyal 5 (0)
2021 → South Georgia Tormenta (loan) 8 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of November 2, 2021

Niki Jackson (born August 25, 1995) is an American soccer player who plays as a forward for San Diego Loyal in the USL Championship. He grew up in Collierville, Tennessee and Scottsdale, Arizona before attending Cactus Shadows High School and Grand Canyon University.[1]

Career

Grand Canyon University

Jackson played four years of college soccer at Grand Canyon University between 2014 and 2017. He was coached his first year by Petar Draksin at GCU and the following three seasons by Schellas Hyndman. During his time with the Antelopes, Jackson scored 41 goals and tallied nine assists in 69 appearances.[2] He was the program's second ever MLS SuperDraft pick after teammate Amir Šašivarević went one round earlier in the same draft.

Colorado Rapids

On January 21, 2018, Jackson was selected 73rd overall in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft by Colorado Rapids. He signed with the club on February 20, 2018.[3] He made his professional debut on February 28, 2018, as a 66th-minute substitute during a CONCACAF Champions League game against Toronto FC.[4] Jackson came on as a sub for his MLS debut and scored his first career goal against New England Revolution.[5] On April 21, 2018, Jackson was loaned to United Soccer League side Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.[6]

On April 12, 2019, Jackson was loaned to USL side Charlotte Independence.[7]

Following their 2020 season, Colorado opted to decline their contract option on Jackson.[8]

San Diego Loyal

On February 11, 2021, Jackson signed with USL Championship side San Diego Loyal.[9]

On August 6, 2021, Jackson moved on loan to USL League One side South Georgia Tormenta for the remainder of the season.[10]

References

  1. ^ "Arizona's Niki Jackson Drafted By The Colorado Rapids". azyouthsoccer.org. Arizona Soccer Association. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018.
  2. ^ "Niki Jackson - 2017 Men's Soccer Roster - Grand Canyon University Athletics". gculopes.com. Grand Canyon University. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  3. ^ "Colorado Rapids sign 2018 MLS SuperDraft selection Niki Jackson". coloradorapids.com. Colorado Rapids. February 20, 2018. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  4. ^ "Boxscore: Toronto FC vs. Colorado Rapids". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. February 28, 2018. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  5. ^ McGeorge, Alex (March 10, 2018). "New England Revolution vs Colorado Rapids | Three Takeaways | March 10, 2018". coloradorapids.com. Colorado Rapids. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  6. ^ Huber, Joel (April 21, 2018). "Switchbacks FC Add Niki Jackson On Loan From Colorado Rapids". switchbacksfc.com. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  7. ^ "Colorado Rapids loan forward Niki Jackson to Charlotte Independence". coloradorapids.com. Colorado Rapids. April 12, 2019. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  8. ^ "Colorado Rapids Announce Roster Moves Ahead of 2021 Season".
  9. ^ "SD Loyal Welcomes Forward Niki Jackson". 11 February 2021.
  10. ^ "Tormenta FC Signs Forward Niki Jackson on Loan from San Diego Loyal". 6 August 2021.