SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that the club has signed Jamaican international midfielder Simon Dawkins as a Designated Player. Per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Dawkins, who has spent the past three years playing the English Premier League and English Championship, returns to San Jose where he spent two seasons on loan from 2011-12. Over the two seasons, The 28-year-old winger made 40 starts in 53 league appearances, scoring 14 goals and adding three assists. Dawkins and forward Chris Wondolowski are the only Earthquakes to score six or more goals in consecutive seasons since the club’s return to Major League Soccer in 2008. He is also the only midfielder in club history to score 14 or more goals over a two-year period. Dawkins helped San Jose claim its second Supporters’ Shield in 2012.
“We’re delighted to welcome Simon back to San Jose,” said general manager John Doyle. “He has a tremendous amount of experience in England as well as internationally. Simon is also proven player in Major League Soccer and helped the club win the Supporters’ Shield in 2012. He will be a key part of our attack.”
Dawkins has spent the last two seasons with Derby County of the English Championship, tallying nine goals and seven assists in 73 appearances. He helped lead them to a third place finish and a spot in the promotion playoffs during the 2013-14 season.
He previously spent time on loan with Aston Villa during the 2012-13 season, making four total appearances, including his Premier League debut on Feb. 10, 2013 in a 2-1 win over West Ham United.
His career began in 2004 at the age of 16. After earning one cap for the England U-17s, Dawkins joined Tottenham Hotspur as an Academy Scholar in July of 2004. In his first season, he made 20 appearances for the club’s U-17s and later signed a contract to keep him at White Hart Lane, splitting time between the U-18s and Reserves.
Dawkins started 13 games and scored twice during his first full season with the Spurs Reserves in 2006-07 and subsequently went on loan with League One side Leyton Orient. In 2008-09 with the O’s, Dawkins made 11 League One appearances and notched an assist during a 4-2 win in a Johnstone’s Paint Trophy match against Southend United on Sept. 2.
On the international stage, Dawkins has earned 20 caps for the Jamaican National Team since making his debut on May 26, 2014, scoring three goals. He most recently tallied during a World Cup Qualifying match against Nicaragua on Sept. 9, 2015.
Transaction: San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) – Earthquakes sign M Simon Dawkins as Designated Player.
Simon Dawkins
Position: Midfield
Height: 5-10
Weight: 160
Born: December 1, 1987 in England
Hometown: Edgware, England
Last Club: Derby County
College: N/A
Citizenship: English
