CARY, N.C. (Dec. 18, 2023) — North Carolina FC has signed midfielder Jacori Hayes to a one-year contract through the 2024 season, the club announced Monday. The signing is pending league and federation approval.
Hayes has six seasons of experience in MLS and a pair in the USL Championship. Overall, Hayes has 72 appearances and 3,143 minutes of MLS action with an 83.23% passing accuracy. He spent three seasons with both FC Dallas and Minnesota United in MLS before joining San Antonio FC for the 2023 season.
“We are excited to welcome Jacori to North Carolina FC. He’s a true professional and has a wealth of experience at high levels. Jacori has trained in some of the best environments in the country and his belief in us is an indication of our club’s solid reputation in player development and experience. He will be an important piece of our roster and locker room,” said NCFC Head Coach and Sporting Director John Bradford.
“I’m happy to be joining the NCFC family and returning to North Carolina. The team had great success last season, and I am going to fight every day to help us repeat that same level of success this season in the Championship! Looking forward to seeing everyone at WakeMed Soccer Park,” Hayes said.
Hayes was drafted in the first round of the 2017 MLS Super Draft by FC Dallas, where he played through the 2019 season. He scored a goal and added three assists across 38 appearances. Hayes also made 10 appearances, eight starts, on loan to the Tulsa Roughnecks in the USL in 2017. The midfielder was traded to Minnesota in 2020, making 34 appearances for the club across three seasons.
Hayes joined USL Championship club San Antonio FC for the 2023 season, where he logged 1,996 minutes and one assist across 28 appearances. Hayes won 53.1% of his duels and 61% of his tackles. He made 39 interceptions, won 39 aerial duels and held a 73.45% passing accuracy.
The Maryland native was a four-year starter at Wake Forest. He was named to the All-ACC Freshman Team in 2013 and earned All-ACC First Team honors twice as an upperclassman.
Hayes is the eighth new signing for North Carolina FC this off-season and brings the roster to 17 total players under contract for 2024.
ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA FC
North Carolina FC returns to play in the United Soccer League (USL) Championship (USSF Division II) in 2024. North Carolina FC enters its 18th season of competition in 2024, having played in several professional leagues as both North Carolina FC and the Carolina RailHawks. The team won the NASL (USSF Division II) regular season championship in 2011 and 2013 and won the USL League One (USSF Division III) Championship in 2023. Follow North Carolina FC on the web at www.northcarolinafc.com and on social media @NorthCarolinaFC.
