HERRIMAN, Utah (Friday July 11, 2025) - Utah Royals FC announce the signing of rookie goalkeeper DeAira Jackson as a free agent. Jackson joins the club through the 2025 season.
Jackson arrives in Utah following the expiration of her short-term contract with the Orlando Pride earlier this year. Although the two-and-a-half-month deal did not result in a professional appearance, the experience marked her initial step into the NWSL.
"DeAira fits the profile that we are looking for at Utah in a goalkeeper, a quality shot stopper that knows how to play out of the back with her feet.” said Sporting Director Kelly Cousins. “She already has half a season of professional soccer under her belt after a productive college career. As a young player, we are eager to be a part of her development and hope that she can make the personal progress that she wants."
A standout at Grand Canyon University, Jackson wrapped up a historic 2024 season as a senior, earning All-WAC First Team honors and being named the WAC Goalkeeper of the Year. She set a new single-season shutout record for the program with nine clean sheets and became GCU’s all-time leader in career shutouts, finishing with an impressive total of 16.
Utah Royals FC will resume play on Sunday, August 3, with a road matchup against the Orlando Pride at 4:00 p.m. MT after the month-long summer break. The Royals will then return to America First Field to host Kansas City Current on Friday, August 8, with kickoff slated for 8:00 p.m. MT. Tickets for the home match are available at https://www.rsl.com/utahroyals/tickets/single.
