CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery announced on Monday the club had signed Canadian U23 international Skylar Thomas for the 2017 season, pending league and federation approval.

Thomas was selected by Toronto FC with the 11th pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, and signed with Toronto FC II, where he spent the past two seasons in the USL. A native of Ontario, Thomas made 47 appearances and scored four goals for the USL for the club.

Prior to being drafted in 2015, Thomas spent four years at Syracuse University, where he was a two-time captain. Thomas started all 56 games during his career with the Orange, scoring eight goals and adding an assist while anchoring the back four. He also competed in the Premier Development League for Reading United SC in the 2014 season.

The 6-foot-5 center back has also seen action with the Canadian U20 and U18 National Teams, and in 2015 was part of Canada’s U23 squad for Olympic Qualifying as the side reached the knockout stage.