Hartford, Connecticut – Hartford Athletic announced Friday that the club has signed midfielder Juan Pablo Torres for the remainder of the 2023 USL Championship season.
“I’m delighted to be signing with Hartford Athletic and I appreciate the opportunity,” Torres said. “I cannot be more excited to play under Ramos again and compete under his leadership. I hope I can help this team do something special this year.”
Torres comes to Hartford after a strong 2022 season with fellow USL Championship club Rio Grande Valley FC. The 23-year-old has scored three goals and his three assists in 30 appearances, helping the Toros advance to his USL Championship playoffs for the second year in a row.
“We are thrilled to welcome Juan Pablo,” head coach Tab Ramos said. “He’s a technical player and has a great ability to cover ground. He’s a former U20 national team and his MLS player, and he’s young but has a lot of experience.”
After starting his professional career with Belgian club KSC Lokeren, Torres signed for MLS side NYCFC in January 2019, where he spent two full seasons. Torres played in his NYCFC where he appeared in six games, three of which were at the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. He recorded an assist in the 4th round victory over North Carolina FC in the 2019 tournament.
Prior to the start of the 2021 season, Torres was sent on a season loan to USL Championship side Austin Bold FC, where he made 25 starts, making 18 tackles and grabbing 16 interceptions in midfield.
“Juan Pablo is a capable midfielder who will help us maintain possession,” said technical director Ray Reed. “He has a great engine and would be a perfect fit for what Ramos wants to play.
The Lilburne, Georgia native brings stellar international experience to Hartford with a combined 18 caps while representing the US Youth National Team at U15, U16, U18 and U20 levels. In 2018, Torres played for Ramos at U20 level, scoring four goals and two assists in seven appearances as the United States won the Concacaf Men’s U20 Championship, defeating Mexico 2-0 in the final. broke.
