TUCSON, Ariz. — FC Tucson announced today that the club has signed former Wake Forest and UCLA defender Alex Knox, pending league and federation approval.

“I have known Alex since he has 14 when he arrived at the Real Salt Lake Academy in Casa Grande. I’ve tracked his growth and development over the years and I am so excited to get to work with him again as embarks on his professional career,” said FC Tucson Head Coach John Galas. “He’s a dynamic, energetic, technical player that will give us competition at the right-back position. Most of all, he is a wonderful young man who I think our community will grow to love.”

A native of Indianapolis, Indiana, Knox played one year of NCAA Division I Soccer at Wake Forest for the 2016 season and three seasons for UCLA from 2017 to 2019. During his time with Wake Forest, Knox started 19 out of 25 games in his freshman season, helping the Demon Deacons to a 19-3-3 overall record. At UCLA the defender appeared in 36 matches scoring two goals and tallying four assists in 1,504 minutes of play. 

“Every great opportunity first starts with gratitude. Words cannot express how thankful I am for my father. He has been my backbone before I even knew what a backbone was,” said Knox. “Without him, I would’ve never been able to elevate myself in mind and in spirit, to meet this great opportunity I have ahead of me. To earn such an opportunity to do what I love means that one of my dreams has come true. I’m planning on leaving my entire tank out there, to honor myself and my family for how far we’ve come.”

Knox, a class of 2016 graduate of the Real Salt Lake Academy of Casa Grande, Arizona, appeared in 34 matches for the Real Salt Lake AZ U-18 team, starting in 33 matches and scoring three goals. The defender helped the Real Salt Lake AZ academy team to a 2012-2013 U.S. Soccer Development Academy National Championship with the U-15/16 team. The Indiana native played alongside former FC Tucson players Luis Barraza and Evan Waldrep during the National Championship win.