22-year-old outside back brings MLS and USYNT experience to the Lights
Las Vegas Lights today announced that the Club has signed defender Jahlane Forbes, pending league and federation approval.
Forbes is under contract with the Lights through the 2026 season with a club option for 2027.
The left-footed outside back scored four goals with four assists across two seasons with Crown Legacy FC in MLS NEXT Pro before finishing the 2025 season on loan with North Carolina FC.
“We’re excited to welcome Jahlane to the Lights,” said Sporting Director Gianleonardo Neglia. “After a stellar career with Wake Forest in the college ranks, he showed flashes of his potential across both MLS and MLS NEXT Pro appearances in Charlotte. He’ll bring athleticism and attacking ability to our back line, and we believe Las Vegas is a great place for him to continue improving as a young player.”
A product of the Orlando City FC youth setup, Forbes made his professional debut as a 17-year-old for Orlando’s B team in USL League One in a 4-1 defeat to South Georgia Tormenta FC on July 24, 2019.
He then committed to Wake Forest University, making 68 appearances and contributing with nine goals and 19 assists across four seasons for the Demon Deacons, earning All-ACC Second Team honors in his final year.
Following his college career, the Brooklyn, New York native was selected in the second round of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft by Charlotte FC. Forbes made his first team debut for The Crown on August 7, 2025, coming off the bench in a 2-0 Leagues Cup victory over Mexican powerhouse CF Monterrey.
The left back spent most of the 2024 and 2025 seasons playing with Charlotte’s reserve side in MLS NEXT Pro, Crown Legacy FC, tallying 26 appearances and contributing with four goals and four assists.
He then joined USL Championship club North Carolina FC on loan for the second half of the 2025 season, making six appearances as the Cary side reached the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Forbes also has United States Youth National Team experience after a call-up by the U-17 national team for friendly matches against Costa Rica in 2018, where he contributed with an assist.
Las Vegas will kick off the 2026 home schedule on Saturday, March 28 against Monterey Bay FC. Tickets are available now at lasvegaslightsfc.com/tickets.
