Georgetown midfielder Jacob Montes signs Premier League deal with Crystal Palace

WASHINGTON – Georgetown University men’s soccer midfielder Jacob Montes became the first player in program history to sign a Premier League contract, inking a deal with Crystal Palace F.C.

Montes departed the Hilltop for a tryout with the club midway through the spring season and has now had his dreams recognized signing a professional contract overseas.

“It was an incredible moment to sign my first professional contract, and the opportunity that I have been presented with is not one I will ever take for granted,” Montes said. “It is my dream, and I plan to make the most out of it. To Georgetown, I want to thank you for the best four years of my life. I would not be the player I am without attending this incredible university, and I truly believe my time here has elevated my game to the professional level. I couldn’t be more grateful to everyone involved in the Georgetown family. Hoya Saxa!”

Montes will mostly likely spend his summer on loan in Europe. His MLS rights were owned by the Portland Timbers, but were recently traded to the New England Revolution if he would choose to return to the United States.

“We are thrilled for Jacob and this opportunity that he has worked so hard for,” said Georgetown head coach Brian Wiese. “He is the epitome of the kind of student-athlete we strive to have come through Georgetown. He was always driven to play professionally, but what makes him, and all of our former players in the pro ranks special, is that he is doing it with a Georgetown degree in his back pocket.”

Wiese has now had 27 players drafted or sign with an MLS or Premier League club in his tenure on the Hilltop. There are currently eight players from the 2019 Georgetown side that won the national championship that have signed professional contracts.