<
>

San Jose Earthquakes reach deal to sign midfielder Jahmir Hyka - source

The San Jose Earthquakes have agreed in principle on a deal to bring FC Lucerne and Albania midfielder Jahmir Hyka to the club, a Major League Soccer source has told ESPN FC.

Hyka, 28, looks set to join forward Marco Urena and defender Harold Cummings as offseason transfers the Quakes have made in a bid to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2012.

The source said Hyka will earn a salary of around $500,000, meaning the Quakes will have to use targeted allocation money to get him under the designated player threshold of $480,625.

San Jose also had to pay an undisclosed transfer fee to Lucerne in order to bring Hyka in before the start of the season.

Hyka is primarily a left-side midfielder who has been with the Swiss club for parts of the past six seasons. In that time he has made 180 league and cup appearances, scoring 21 goals.

Prior to that he has spent time with hometown club FK Tirana, Norwegian side Rosenborg, German club Mainz, and Panionios in Greece. Hyka has made 38 appearances for Albania's national team, scoring two goals.

San Jose has also signed homegrown product Nick Lima as well as 2017 MLS SuperDraft selection Jackson Yueill this offseason.