On Friday morning, the San Jose Earthquakes announced the acquisition of 2020 MLS Best XI defender Jonathan Mensah. Here are five things to know about San Jose’s newest player:
1. Mensah joins the Quakes from the Columbus Crew in exchange for $100k of General Allocation Money (GAM) in 2023 and $100k of GAM in 2024. The Quakes will also pay Columbus $150k of GAM in 2024 if Mensah is on San Jose’s roster after the 2024 Roster Compliance Date, and $150k of GAM in 2025 if Mensah is on San Jose’s roster after the 2025 Roster Compliance Date. Mensah, who acquired a U.S. Green Card during his time with Columbus, will not occupy an international slot on the Quakes’ roster.
2. The 32-year-old contributed to three MLS Playoff appearances for Columbus, captaining their MLS Cup championship in 2020 and their 2021 Campeones Cup title in the Crew’s victory over Liga MX side Cruz Azul.
3. His MLS success earned him prestigious recognitions including 2020 MLS Best XI, 2020 MLS Defender of the Year finalist, Columbus’ Defender of the Year (2018, 2019, 2020) and Humanitarian of the Year (2017) awards.
4. The Accra, Ghana native has made 70 appearances for the Ghana National Team, participating in the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups, and winning the U20 FIFA World Cup in 2009.
5. Mensah brings experience from around the world to San Jose, having played for Ashanti Gold (Ghana), Free State Stars (South Africa), Granada CF (Spain), Evian (France), and Anzhi Makhachkala (Russia) before playing in MLS.
