TUCSON, Ariz. (Feb. 24, 2021) — FC Tucson announced today that the club has signed former Wake Forest University standout Jared Odenbeck, pending league and federation approval. The defensive midfielder joins as the club’s 7th new signing ahead of the 2021 season.
“With Erik Virgen retiring at the end of the 2020 season, we needed to fill a void in the center of the park, and we are delighted to welcome Jared to the club,” said FC Tucson Head Coach John Galas. “He’s had a tremendous career to date and I feel he’ll fit in well here at the club. He’s a student of the game, a wonderful person and I really look forward to watching his progress this upcoming season.”
Odenbeck began his professional career in 2017 after signing his first contract with the Charlotte Independence of the USL Championship. During his first season with the North Carolina club, Odenbeck made the move to Gothenburg, Sweden to join Lindome GIF of the Swedish fourth division, where he made 12 appearances. Following his half-season with Lindome GIF and a brief stint with South Georgia Tormenta FC, Odenbeck continued his play abroad in 2018 with Swedish club IK Kongahälla and in 2019 with Wellington, New Zealand based team Western Suburbs Football Club.
“I am delighted to join such a wonderful club with a fantastic fan base and club culture,” said Odenbeck. “I look forward to working under John Galas and the rest of his technical staff and share their vision for our identity and stylistic ambitions on the pitch. I am excited to get started and help the club achieve their goals.”
Most recently, the Charlotte native played for Stumpton Athletic of the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) after signing in September 2019 ahead of the club’s inaugural season. The 26-year-old made five appearances in the midfield out of a total of six available matches for the Matthews, North Carolina-based club.
During his time with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons of NCAA Division I, Odenbeck played 47 games from 2014-2016, totaling four goals and three assists as a defender. In his last season of collegiate play, Odenbeck appeared in 12 matches as a part of a back-line that allowed only 12 goals during the 25-game season, leading to a program-best 855 consecutive shutout minutes.
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Jared Odenbeck
Country: USA
Born: February 4, 1995 (26)
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6 ft 2
Weight: 175 lbs
Number: 42
Previous Club: Stumptown Athletic
