TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS:Signing
The San Jose Earthquakes have signed forward Benji Kikanovic to a one-year contract with club options through the 2024 season, it was announced Tuesday.
Kikanovic, 21, was with San Jose’s former USL Championship affiliate Reno 1868 during the 2021 season, scoring twice in 13 appearances. The San Jose native also played with the NPSL’s Sacramento Gold in 2019.
“Benji has been on our radar for several years and we’re happy he’ll be joining the first team,” Earthquakes general manager Jesse Fioranelli said in a release. “He is a player that we thought very highly of in college and we were impressed by his transition to the professional game last year. We’ll create an individualized program for him and believe in his future in MLS.”
Kikanovic played for two seasons at Sacramento State University, scoring nine goals and dishing out five assists in 34 games. He earned Big West Co-Freshman of the Year honors and twice placed on the All-Big West Conference Second Team.
Kikanovic gives San Jose depth at forward behind MLS all-time goals king Chris Wondolowski. Andy Rios has also played forward, while they brought in Eduardo Lopez on loan from Liga MX's Chivas to play the No. 10 role.
