Photo credit: Minnesota United
Jacksonville Armada FC has announced the signing of central midfielder Jack Blake pending USSF and P1 work visa approval. The signing is the first addition to Mark Lowry’s 2017 roster. Per team and league policy, the terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Blake, 22, arrives in Jacksonville after spending the 2016 NASL season with Minnesota United where he accumulated 695 minutes in seven starts and 11 matches for the Loons. He signed with the club in May and scored his first professional goal in his debut appearance, helping defeat St. Louis FC in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup last June.
“Jack is a very mature young man and upon meeting him you will notice his charisma immediately,” Armada FC Technical Director Nathan Walter said. “We were first informed about Jack in early 2016 and were happy to see him sign within the league. This provided us a great opportunity to watch him play against NASL teams. He is a very exciting prospect and I look forward to seeing him develop under Mark Lowry and within this team.”
Blake is a product of Nottingham Forest, his hometown English club and two-time winners of the European Cup. He came through the ranks following a short stint in the nearby Notts County Academy. He joined the Nottingham Forest Academy at the age of seven and also experienced training and playing opportunities at major clubs including Atletico Madrid and Deportivo La Coruna in Spain, Brescia in Italy, and AZ Alkmaar in Holland.
After an extensive youth career, Blake graduated from the Nottingham Forest Academy and signed his first professional contract with the senior team in May 2013. Blake was loaned five months later to neighboring club Mansfield Town. His professional debut was a 0-0 draw against Bury F.C. on Oct. 22, 2013. He made two more appearances for the Stags before returning to Nottingham Forest where he played until 2015.
Blake has also made international appearances for Scotland due to his Scottish grandfather. At the age of 15 he represented Scotland at the U-19 European Championships and has since made five more appearances.
“Jack is a technically gifted and intelligent player,” Jacksonville coach Mark Lowry said. “At 22 years of age we not only have a quality player for this season, but also for the future. We look forward to seeing him grow and establish himself as a top player within this league.”