OAKLAND, Calif. – Oakland Roots SC announced on Tuesday the club had signed forward Bertin Jacquesson ahead of the 2026 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.
Jacquesson joins Oakland having been part of USL Championship title-winner Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC during the past campaign. The 24-year-old recorded four goals in 31 appearances across all competitions for the Hounds, including notching three goals in the group stage of the 2025 USL Cup.
“Bertin is an exciting and versatile attacking player who can hurt opponents in a variety of ways with his directness and threat toward goal. He has the ability to stretch teams with runs in behind and the quality to beat defenders individually in 1v1 situations,” said Roonts Head Coach Ryan Martin. “He brings a strong pedigree, having won the USL Championship with Pittsburgh last season, previously played for Real Salt Lake, and developed at the University of Pittsburgh.
“Beyond his attacking qualities, Bertin is committed defensively and will help us win the ball higher up the field to ignite our attack. He’s also a tremendous young man, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to Oakland and to the Roots.”
Born in France, Jacquesson was drafted in the First Round of the 2023 Major League Soccer SuperDraft by Real Salt Lake. He would go on to make 10 MLS appearances while also appearing for reserve team Real Monarchs SLC in MLS NEXT Pro over the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
Jacquesson then joined the Hounds on loan late in the 2024 campaign and notched five goals and two assists in eight appearances for the side, averaging a goal every 124 minutes before signing a permanent deal with Pittsburgh last offseason.