HERRIMAN, Utah – Real Monarchs SLC announced on Tuesday it had acquired midfielder Jack Blake on loan from fellow USL side the Tampa Bay Rowdies for the remainder of the 2018 season. Blake’s arrival with the defending USL Regular Season champions is pending league and federation approval.

“Jack is a player we aggressively pursued in the past,” said Monarchs General Manager Dan Egner. “We continued to monitor him when he joined the Rowdies, and when the opportunity to bring him in came about, there was no way we were going to miss out. We expect him to come in and compete with the group we have and help us achieve our goal of winning the USL Cup. He’s accomplished quite a bit for someone his age, and we’re excited to see the things he’ll do in a Real Monarchs kit.”

The 23-year-old Blake made six appearances – all starts – for the Rowdies in 2018, playing 501 minutes and scoring one goal while registering two assists. Prior to his time in with the Rowdies, Blake spent time with Jacksonville Armada FC and Minnesota United FC. Born in Nottingham, England, the midfielder has also spent time with the Scotland U-19s where he made five appearances.

“I’m really excited to be joining a club with such a good quality and reputation,” Blake said. “When I got the opportunity to join a club like the Monarchs I was extremely excited. I’m really excited at the chance to play with all of the quality players in the squad and help contribute to the continued success of the Monarchs.”