PHOENIX – Phoenix Rising FC announced on Wednesday it had signed former Leicester City, Watford, and San Jose Earthquakes defender Jordan Stewart for the 2017 season. Per club policy, the terms of the deal are not public, and the signing is pending league and federation approval.

“Jordan has an incredible amount of experience and has played at the highest levels of the game,” said Rising FC Head Coach Frank Yallop. “He’s going to really solidify our back line.”

Stewart made his professional debut with Leicester City in 2000, and over the course of six seasons, including two in the Premier League, Stewart appeared in 127 matches and scored six goals for the club. From there he moved on to fellow English club Watford, where he appeared in 117 matches and scored two goals over three seasons with the club.

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From 2008 to 2013, Stewart made stops at English clubs Derby County, Sheffield United, Millwall, Notts County, and Coventry City and also made a short stop in Greece with Skoda Xanthi in 2010. In 2013, Stewart signed with Major League Soccer side San Joe Earthquakes and played four seasons with the club, appearing in 71 matches.

The club opens its 2017 campaign on Saturday, March 25, at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex against Toronto FC II.