HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Harrisburg City Islanders announced on Wednesday the club had exercised its option on defender Jamie Thomas’ contract for the 2017 season. The signing is pending league and federation approval.

“Jamie was certainly our most consistent player and one of our better players all year,” said City Islanders Head Coach Bill Becher.

Thomas joined the Harrisburg City Islanders in 2016 after competing for the New York Red Bulls II in his first professional season in 2015. Thomas made 27 appearances for Harrisburg a season ago, and finished fourth on the team with 2,355 minutes of action. Thomas also recorded a pair of assists during the season.

“Jamie was as good as anybody we had last year,” said Becher. “He was very consistent and he played well in every game. He worked hard and did all of the right things every day at training.”

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Thomas competed collegiately for St. John’s University, where he earned All-Big East Second Team honors in 2011. Thomas made 80 appearances in his career for the Red Storm before turning professional with the Red Bulls II two seasons ago.   

For Harrisburg, Thomas featured in a 10-game stretch for the club in 2016 where he played the full 90 minutes in every contest. Harrisburg only suffered one loss during that 10-game period as Thomas’ consistency alongside fellow returnee Shawn McLaws shone through.