FC Dallas announced on Wednesday that they have loaned Jackson to Brazilian first division side Cruzeiro for one year, citing personal reasons for the breakout midfielder's return to his native country in 2012.
Per league and team policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed.
“Jackson needed to spend some time at home in Brazil for personal reasons,” FC Dallas president and CEO Doug Quinn said in a statement. “We recognized this and found an opportunity we think will be mutually beneficial.”
A native of São Paulo, Brazil, Jackson first joined Dallas from São Paulo FC on Aug. 13, 2010. He made his FC Dallas debut just one day later against D.C. United at RFK Stadium, coming on for Brek Shea in the 82nd minute of a 3-1 victory. Jackson started nine regular-season games and all four playoff matches for Dallas in 2010, recording one assist.
He recorded eight goals and three assists for FC Dallas across all competitions in 2011. He logged the ninth-most minutes during the regular season (1,952) and doubled his games played (28) and games started (22) totals from 2010. He also took 46 more shots in his second MLS season.
“Jackson is going to be playing with a very good team in an excellent league, which will help him improve as a player,” FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman said in a statement. “This loan will also give him the chance to spend the time he needs close to his home. We have several players we are actively pursuing that we feel will fit in well and add additional depth to our team.”
