SPOKANE, Wash. - Spokane Velocity FC today announced the signing of goalkeeper Brooks Thompson on a season-long loan from USL Championship side Hartford Athletic, pending league and federation approval. Following the retirement of Peter Swinkels earlier this week, Thompson joins Carlos Merancio as the only other goalkeeper on the roster.

"We are excited to be adding Brooks to the roster! He brings valuable experiences after winning the USL League One title last year," said Spokane Head Coach Leigh Veidman. "He understands what it takes to bring success to a club on and off the pitch and this is only going to help make us better as a team."

Thompson returns to USL League One having most recently helped North Carolina FC claim the 2023 USL League One title. Joining the club on loan from MLS NEXT Pro side Philadelphia Union II in July 2023, Thompson made 17 starts and 54 saves, recorded four clean sheets, and posted a 1.27 GAA (fourth-best in League One) in Cary, N.C. The 21-year-old came through in the League One Final against the Charlotte Independence, making the decisive save in a penalty shootout to help NCFC claim its first league title.

The Jefferson, Ind. native signed his first professional contract at 18 years old with Sporting Kansas City in 2021, becoming the youngest signing in the MLS club's history. He made 12 appearances for Sporting Kansas City II in the USL Championship, making 41 saves and posting a 1.83 GAA. More recently, he joined the Philadelphia Union II and saw action in MLS NEXT Pro before his loan to North Carolina FC midway through last season.