(Courtesy of El Paso Locomotive FC)

EL PASO, Texas — El Paso Locomotive FC announced Tuesday that it has signed Spanish defender Ander Egiluz ahead of the upcoming 2022 USL Championship season, pending league and federation approval and receipt of his ITC.

“Andrew [Egiluz] came on trial with us and has proven to be a great addition to the squad,” said Locomotive FC head coach and technical director John Hutchinson. “He fits into the environment the players create and deserves his chance to be with us. He’s a versatile player who can play either as a central defender or as a central midfielder. He adds strength and competition in both areas.

Egiluz joined Athletic Bilbao Academy in Spain in 2016, where he came through the club’s U-19 side before signing with Tercera Divisón club CD Basconia in 2018.

While with Basconia, Egiluz was loaned out to SD Leioa in Spain’s third tier, Segunda División B, where he eventually signed a permanent deal in 2019.

The 23-year-old has enjoyed consistent playing time with Leioa, where he made 35 appearances and registered one goal and one assist in 2,379 minutes of action.

During his time with Leioa, Egiluz featured in the Copa del Rey, playing in the first round against FC Cartagena in 2019 as a late substitute.

After SD Leioa, Egiluz played a short spell with CP Villarrobledo where he got eight appearances and one goal before moving to Haro Deportivo, playing 13 matches.

Born in the Basque Country in northern Spain, the 23-year-old defender has strong ties to the United States, including the state of Idaho, where his mother was born, giving him dual citizenship.

Egiluz played for the Stars and Stripes, making two appearances in the 2016 Slovak Cup where he lifted the trophy with the United States U-19 men’s national team.