SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes have signed forward Benji Kikanovic to a one-year contract with club options through the 2024 season.
“Benji has been on our radar for several years and we’re happy he’ll be joining the first team,” said Earthquakes general manager Jesse Fioranelli. “He is a player that we thought very highly of in college and we were impressed by his transition to the professional game last year. We’ll create an individualized program for him and believe in his future in MLS.”
Kikanovic, 21, spent the 2020 season with the Quakes’ former USL Championship affiliate Reno 1868 FC, scoring two goals in 13 appearances.
Prior to joining Reno, Kikanovic competed for Sacramento State University for two seasons. He appeared in 34 of the team’s 35 matches from 2018 to 2019, making 33 starts and tallying nine goals and five assists. As a freshman in 2018, Kikanovic led the team in goals (5), game-winning goals (2) and assists (4), earning Big West Co-Freshman of the Year and Second Team All-Big West Conference accolades. He was the only freshman in the Big West Conference to earn First or Second Team recognition that season. The following year, he tallied four goals and an assist to earn his second consecutive Second Team All-Big West Conference honor.
Kikanovic, a former youth player at Placer United Soccer Club, also spent time with NPSL side Sacramento Gold FC in 2019.
Benji Kikanovic
Pronunciation: kee-KAN-oh-vich
Position: Forward
Height: 6-1
Weight: 175 lbs.
Born: Jan. 6, 2000 in San Jose, Calif.
Preferred Foot: Right
Hometown: Sacramento, Calif.
Previous Club: Reno 1868 FC (USL Championship)
College: Sacramento State
Roster Designation: Domestic
Transaction: San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) – Earthquakes sign 21-year-old F Benji Kikanovic to a one-year contract with club options through the 2024 season.
