With the silly season in full effect, the San Jose Earthquakes look on the verge of signing another midfield reinforcement ahead of the 2017 MLS regular season. According to a report from Center Line Soccer’s own David Barclay, citing a source, Albanian attacking midfielder Jahmir Hyka has agreed to a contract to join the Quakes.
In a tweet published on Saturday, Barclay stated that “Per a source close to the player, Albanian national Jahmir Hyka's contract with #Quakes74 is complete, transfer fee & date are pending.”
Per a source close to the player, Albanian national Jahmir Hyka's contract with #Quakes74 is complete, transfer fee & date are pending.
— David J. Barclay III (@DjamesIII) January 14, 2017
The report comes on the heels on another report, this one in the online magazine City Media, claiming that the deal for Hyka is complete and will be worth $500,000 annually in salary for the Albanian. The same report says that Hyka will be afforded housing considerations as well, something that would be an unusual item for an MLS contract.
The details of the contract are not known at this time, including when the player would be available to join San Jose. Hyka is currently under contract with FC Luzern of the Swiss Super League through the end of their 2016-17 season in June. If San Jose anticipates him joining the team at that time, during the MLS summer transfer window, then a transfer fee would not be required to bring him in. Having him with the Quakes to start the season most certainly would require a transfer payment be made to Luzern.
Hyka is a regular with the Albanian national team, having made 42 appearances and scored 2 goals since his first cap in 2007. The 28-year-old has scored 25 goals in 185 appearances with FC Luzern since joining the club ahead of the 2011-12 season. Hyka would likely slot in as a left or central midfielder with the Earthquakes. He would be the second Albanian in MLS when his transfer is complete, joining Colorado Rapids forward Shkëlzen Gashi as internationals from the Adriatic Sea country.
Whether the deal begins in January or in July, it would mark a shrewd bit of business for the Quakes. Hyka is not a goal-scorer directly, but his work on the ball and passing acumen make him an ideal creator of scoring opportunities for a San Jose side that is desperately looking to improve on its league-worst goals scored record from a year ago.