SPOKANE, Wash. - Spokane Velocity FC today announced the signing of 29-year-old Gambia national team defender Ismaila "Ish" Jome, pending league and federation approval. In eight seasons as a professional, Jome has accumulated 136 appearances and 25 goal contributions across Concacaf Champions Cup, MLS, USL Championship, NASL and MLS NEXT Pro play.

Jome, born in the Gambia's capital, Banjul, and raised in Minneapolis, Minn., most recently competed for San Antonio FC during the 2023 USL Championship season. Recognized as Minnesota State High School Soccer Coaches Association's "Mr. Soccer" during his senior season in 2012, Jome played collegiately at UC Santa Barbara and pre-professionally with USL League Two sides Ventura County Fusion and Portland Timbers U-23.

Jome's professional career began in 2016 with then-NASL side Minnesota United FC, making nine appearances during the club's final NASL season in 2016 before making 13 appearances across league and U.S. Open Cup play during the club's inaugural Major League Soccer season in 2017. Over the next three seasons, Jome spent time in the USL Championship with Nashville SC (2018), Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (2019) and Austin Bold FC (2020).

In 2021, Jome returned to MLS and signed a one-year contract with the Portland Timbers. Jome made a trio of appearances across Concacaf Champions Cup and MLS play to start the season before rupturing his Achilles tendon in training. Jome went on to make 17 appearances for MLS NEXT Pro side Portland Timbers 2 in 2022 and 20 appearances for San Antonio FC in 2023.

Jome has made one appearance with the Gambia's national team, suiting up for the Scorpions in a 3-2 loss against Burundi in FIFA World Cup 26 qualifiers in November 2023. 

"I've known of Ish as a player for a while and always liked him, so we are excited to have him with us here in Spokane," Spokane Head Coach Leigh Veidman said. "He brings an incredible amount of experience and quality to our squad from his time in MLS and the USL Championship, which is going to be imperative for us to keep improving as a team."