Niki Jackson

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Niki Jackson

| image =

| fullname =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1995|8|25}}

| birth_place = Vicksburg, Mississippi, United States

| height = 5 ft 10 in

| position = Forward

| currentclub = San Diego Loyal

| clubnumber = 12

| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2007

| youthclubs1 = SCSA Falcons

| youthyears2 = 2009–2010

| youthclubs2 = West Coast FC

| youthyears3 = 2011

| youthclubs3 = FC Phoenix

| youthyears4 = 2013–2014

| youthclubs4 = Real Salt Lake

| collegeyears1 = 2014–2017

| college1 = Grand Canyon Antelopes

| collegecaps1 = 69

| collegegoals1 = 41

| years1 = 2018–2020

| clubs1 = Colorado Rapids

| caps1 = 19

| goals1 = 3

| years2 = 2018

| clubs2 = → Colorado Springs Switchbacks (loan)

| caps2 = 4

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2019

| clubs3 = → Charlotte Independence (loan)

| caps3 = 23

| goals3 = 5

| years4 = 2020

| clubs4 = → Colorado Springs Switchbacks (loan)

| caps4 = 0

| goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2021–

| clubs5 = San Diego Loyal

| caps5 = 5

| goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2021

| clubs6 = → South Georgia Tormenta (loan)

| caps6 = 8

| goals6 = 0

| nationalyears1 =

| nationalteam1 =

| nationalcaps1 =

| nationalgoals1 =

| club-update = November 2, 2021

| ntupdate =

}}

Niki Jackson (born August 25, 1995) is an American soccer player who plays as a forward for San Diego Loyal in the USL Championship. He grew up in Collierville, Tennessee and Scottsdale, Arizona before attending Cactus Shadows High School and Grand Canyon University.{{cite web|url=http://www.azyouthsoccer.org/arizonas_niki_jackson_drafted_by_the_colorado_rapids/|title=Arizona's Niki Jackson Drafted By The Colorado Rapids|website=azyouthsoccer.org|publisher=Arizona Soccer Association|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140638/http://www.azyouthsoccer.org/arizonas_niki_jackson_drafted_by_the_colorado_rapids/|archive-date=June 12, 2018}}

Career

=Grand Canyon University=

Jackson played four years of college soccer at Grand Canyon University between 2014 and 2017. He was coached his first year by Petar Draksin at GCU and the following three seasons by Schellas Hyndman. During his time with the Antelopes, Jackson scored 41 goals and tallied nine assists in 69 appearances.{{cite web|url=https://gculopes.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/niki-jackson/4355|website=gculopes.com|title=Niki Jackson - 2017 Men's Soccer Roster - Grand Canyon University Athletics|publisher=Grand Canyon University|accessdate=March 1, 2018}} He was the program's second ever MLS SuperDraft pick after teammate Amir Šašivarević went one round earlier in the same draft.

=Colorado Rapids=

On January 21, 2018, Jackson was selected 73rd overall in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft by Colorado Rapids. He signed with the club on February 20, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.coloradorapids.com/post/2018/02/20/colorado-rapids-sign-2018-mls-superdraft-selection-niki-jackson|title=Colorado Rapids sign 2018 MLS SuperDraft selection Niki Jackson|website=coloradorapids.com|publisher=Colorado Rapids|date=February 20, 2018|accessdate=March 1, 2018}} He made his professional debut on February 28, 2018, as a 66th-minute substitute during a CONCACAF Champions League game against Toronto FC.{{cite web|url=https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2018-02-27-toronto-fc-vs-colorado-rapids/boxscore|title=Boxscore: Toronto FC vs. Colorado Rapids|website=mlssoccer.com|publisher=Major League Soccer|date=February 28, 2018|accessdate=March 1, 2018}} Jackson came on as a sub for his MLS debut and scored his first career goal against New England Revolution.{{Cite web|url=https://www.coloradorapids.com/post/2018/03/10/new-england-revolution-vs-colorado-rapids-three-takeaways-march-10-2018|title=New England Revolution vs Colorado Rapids {{!}} Three Takeaways {{!}} March 10, 2018|last=McGeorge|first=Alex|date=March 10, 2018 |website=coloradorapids.com |publisher=Colorado Rapids|accessdate=June 15, 2020}} On April 21, 2018, Jackson was loaned to United Soccer League side Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.{{Cite news|url=https://www.switchbacksfc.com/news_article/show/910162?referrer_id=2954845 |title=Switchbacks FC Add Niki Jackson On Loan From Colorado Rapids|last=Huber|first=Joel|date=April 21, 2018|website=switchbacksfc.com|publisher=Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC|accessdate=April 21, 2018|language=en-us}}

On April 12, 2019, Jackson was loaned to USL side Charlotte Independence.{{cite web |url=https://www.coloradorapids.com/post/2019/04/12/colorado-rapids-loan-forward-niki-jackson-charlotte-independence|title=Colorado Rapids loan forward Niki Jackson to Charlotte Independence |website=coloradorapids.com|publisher=Colorado Rapids|date=April 12, 2019|accessdate=June 15, 2020}}

Following their 2020 season, Colorado opted to decline their contract option on Jackson.{{Cite web|url=https://www.coloradorapids.com/post/2020/12/14/colorado-rapids-announce-roster-moves-ahead-2021-season|title=Colorado Rapids Announce Roster Moves Ahead of 2021 Season}}

=San Diego Loyal=

On February 11, 2021, Jackson signed with USL Championship side San Diego Loyal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sdloyal.com/news_article/show/1145822|title = SD Loyal Welcomes Forward Niki Jackson|date = 11 February 2021}}

On August 6, 2021, Jackson moved on loan to USL League One side South Georgia Tormenta for the remainder of the season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tormentafc.com/news_article/show/1177179|title = Tormenta FC Signs Forward Niki Jackson on Loan from San Diego Loyal|date = 6 August 2021}}