San Jose Earthquakes agree to terms with veteran midfielder Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi

Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi

That San Jose Earthquakes may have just filled that hole left by Rafael Baca after all.


A San Jose spokesman on Monday confirmed to MLSsoccer.com that the team has agreed to terms with French veteran Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi, who is expected to join the squad later this month for preseason training.


The move for the 28-year-old Pierazzi has been rumored for days and was first reported by Robert Jonas at Quake, Rattle & Goal. A formal announcement is expected soon.


A 6-foot-1, box-to-box midfielder, Pierazzi has been with French club AC Ajaccio since beginning his professional career in 2006 and helped the club gain promotion to Ligue 1 following the 2010-11 campaign. He has scored two goals in 179 league appearances and should help fill the void left behind by Baca, who joined Liga MX outfit Cruz Azul last month.


The Earthquakes are expected to begin their 2014 preseason preparations later this month. Baca was transfered to Mexican side Cruz Azul last month after three seasons in San Jose.