SACRAMENTO, Calif. (March 16, 2017) – Sacramento Republic FC have agreed to a contract with Julius James for the 2017 USL season, pending league and federation approval. James played the last four seasons in the NASL, winning the Soccer Bowl in 2014 with the San Antonio Scorpions.

“Julius brings us a great amount of experience,” said Republic FC Head Coach and Technical Director Paul Buckle. “He has a strong voice and an opinion and he is not afraid of casting that opinion on the game and that is what we want. It will take him a little while to settle in, but he will bring vast experience and a lot of know-how to the back four.”

James played in 95 career MLS matches over five seasons. The defender was originally drafted 9th overall in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft by Toronto FC. James played with Toronto, Houston Dynamo, D.C. United and Columbus Crew in his MLS career before moving to the NASL in 2013. He played with North Carolina FC (then the Carolina Railhawks), San Antonio Scorpions and in 2016 with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. James helped the Scorpions win the 2014 Soccer Bowl. James made 68 NASL appearances in his four seasons in the league.

The defender has also featured for the Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Team. James earned his first cap against Guyana on Sept. 3, 2008 and has since made 15 other appearances with his National Team. James is one of four Republic FC players to have capped with their national teams, joining Trevin Caesar (Trinidad and Tobago), Emrah Klimenta (Montenegro) and Jeremy Hall (Puerto Rico).

Republic FC will return to action on Saturday, Mar. 18 when they travel to San Francisco to take on the San Francisco Deltas in their final road friendly of the preseason. Kickoff is 7 p.m. at Kezar Stadium. Republic FC will return to Papa Murphy’s Park on Wednesday, Mar. 22 when they take on the San Jose Earthquakes. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com.

Sacramento Republic FC will kick off their 2017 season on April 1 vs. Orange County SC. Season Ticket packages are now available and start as low as $317.75 for 19 matches and include tickets to preseason friendlies such as San Jose Earthquakes (Mar. 22). Season Ticket Holders will also receive priority seating in an MLS stadium. To learn more, view maps and secure seats visit SacRepublicFC.com or call (916) 307-6100.