Pacific FC announced on Friday the signing of defender Eric Lajeunesse to a U SPORTS contract for the 2024 Canadian Premier League season, after retaining his U SPORTS rights during the 2023 season.

Lajeunesse, 21, a second-year University of British Columbia student, played 522 minutes for the Tridents last season after he was selected by the club with the sixth overall pick in the 2023 draft. He lined up for Pacific at both centre and left back, starting four matches.

“Eric showed his potential last season, we put him into difficult games, and he quickly adapted to the level,” said James Merriman, Head Coach, Pacific FC. “He’s physical, has a strong mentality and great character.”

He was instrumental as a part of the UBC Thunderbirds’ backline last year, clocking in 1890 minutes of play in the season that saw the team reach the Canada West final against Mount Royal University and earn a bronze medal at the 2023 U SPORTS Men’s Championships. A native of Ottawa, Ont., Lajeunesse spent time with the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy before university.

Pacific FC has a history of finding first-team players through the CPL-U SPORTS Draft, signing midfielder Zach Verhoven in 2019, defender Chris Lee in 2021, and midfielder Luca Ricci in 2022 draft in addition to Lajeunesse.

U SPORTS drafted players have played 1,099 CPL matches in total, 839 of which were with the club that drafted them.