IRVINE, Calif. – Orange County SC announced on Tuesday the signing of experienced center back Beto Navarro, who rejoins the club after featuring for Orange County last in the 2015 season. The signing is pending league and federation approval.

Navarro returns to Southern California after spending the 2016 season with Jacksonville Armada FC. Prior to his spell in Florida he played an integral role in the Orange County side that finished first in the USL’s Western Conference in 2015.

The 27-year-old has extensive experience in the second tier of American soccer. After competing in the PDL for the Fresno Fuego, Navarro made his professional debut with Atlanta Silverbacks FC where he recorded 34 appearances in two seasons. In 2013 he was part of the Silverbacks side that reached the league championship game. In 2014, Navarro made the move across the border to Canada with FC Edmonton and made 18 appearances for the Eddies.

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In 2015, Navarro returned to his native California and signed with Orange County, where he made an immediate impact with the Blues. He was a mainstay in the Blues’ backline in the 2015 season and brought leadership and a physical presence to the side in his 22 appearances. His influence at the back helped lead the club to the top of the Western Conference in the regular season.

Last season Navarro competed for Armada FC, where he played 11 times for the club before making the move back to SoCal. He becomes the 16th signing for Orange County SC and will get the chance to face off against former Blues defender Brenton Griffiths in Orange County’s season opener against Reno 1868 FC on March 25th.