Transfer Tracker

San Jose Earthquakes re-sign homegrown defender Tommy Thompson

Tommy Thompson

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Re-signed

The San Jose Earthquakes have re-signed homegrown defender Tommy Thompson through the 2023 MLS season with an option for 2024, the club announced Tuesday.

The 27-year-old returns to San Jose as the organization's longest-tenured player following the retirement of midfielder Shea Salinas. He'll become the first player in club history to play each of his first 10 professional seasons with the Earthquakes.

ā€œTommy is a talented player, a positive influence in our locker room, and a role model for our community,ā€ San Jose general manager Chris Leitch said in a release. ā€œHis longevity with the club is a testament to his hard work and determination, and weā€™re excited to welcome him back for 2023.ā€

Thompson was San Jose's first-ever homegrown signing in 2014, becoming a regular fixture for the first team over the last nine seasons with 184 MLS appearances ā€“ fourth in club history behind Chris Wondolowski (376), Salinas (332) and Ramiro Corrales (250). Over that time, he scored five goals and dished out 11 assists playing mostly as a wide defender and in midfield.

San Jose are seeking a bounce-back campaign in 2023 after finishing last on the Western Conference table in 2022 (8W-15L-11D, 35 points). They're heading into the first year under new head coach Luchi Gonzalez, who was hired as the permanent replacement for the departed Matias Almeyda in August.