Armada FC Inks Haitian International Mechak Jérôme

The Jacksonville Armada FC announced on Thursday the signing of former Major League Soccer and current Haitian national team defender Mechack Jérôme, pending clearance.

Jérôme, a member of the Haitian national team since 2008 with 35 caps and teammate of Armada FC forward Pascal Millien, comes to Jacksonville after spending 2015 with the USL's Charlotte Independence, where he logged 1,530 minutes in 17 appearances. He recently started in all four of Haiti's CONCACAF Gold Cup matches, recording 360 minutes in the team's quarterfinal run. Jérôme also helped lead Haiti to a FIFA World Cup qualifying third round, 6-1, aggregate win over Grenada in early September and started in both legs.

"We are excited to welcome Mechack to our team," Eric Dade, Armada FC interim head coach, said. "He has a solid resume as a former MLS player and current member of the Haitian national team. I look forward to seeing what he can bring to our back line."

The 25-year-old native of Liancourt, Haiti, began his professional career at the age of 16 in 2006 with Baltimore de St. Mark in Haiti's top league before moving on to Mirandela of the Portuguese second division. In 2010, he joined new Armada FC teammate Miguel Gallardo at the Austin Aztex and then Orlando City SC when the club moved. Jérôme appeared in 14 matches during Orlando City's 2011 USL Championship run and scored one goal with three assists in 20 games for the club's 2012 regular season title.

In 2013, he signed with MLS's Sporting KC, appearing in 10 league games, a Lamar Hunt US Open Cup contest and three CONCACAF Champions League matches. Jérôme finished with an assist in 677 minutes of MLS play for Sporting KC and helped the club win the MLS Cup.

After his time at Sporting, Jérôme signed with MLS side Montreal Impact for a brief stint before moving on to Charlotte in 2015.