Phil Neville’s son and ‘next Steven Gerrard’ join ex-EFL manager at newly-formed team

Sporting Club Jacksonville aren’t just looking to compete in America, they aim to take over.

The Florida-based side are preparing for their first season in the USL Championship – the second-tier in the United States pyramid.

With the 2026 campaign beginning in March, Sporting Jax are busy making moves to assemble a squad capable of challenging for the title.

Former Dundee boss Liam Fox is the man tasked with guiding Sporting to glory.

While ex-Brentford, Rangers, Nottingham Forest and QPR manager Mark Warburton has been entrusted with overseeing their progress.

Appointed as the club’s Sporting Director/Head of Soccer, Warburton has wasted no time in strengthening Sporting – signing some of England’s top former starlets.

The American Dream

One of those players is Harvey Neville, the son of ex-Manchester United and England full-back Phil Neville.

The 23-year-old, who spent time in United, Manchester City and Valencia’s academy, has plenty of American experience.

He followed his father to Inter Miami when Neville was appointed as the Herons’ boss – featuring in 12 MLS matches spread across the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

And he boasts plenty of USL Championship experience having featured for Loudon United, Sacramento Republic FC, Phoenix Rising and San Antonio FC.

In another coup for Sporting, they recently confirmed the arrival of ex-Liverpool midfielder Jordan Rossiter.

The 28-year-old, who last represented Waterford in Ireland, was once tipped to be the ‘next Steven Gerrard‘ following dazzling displays in the Reds’ youth teams.

Getty

Getty Images - Getty

Those comparisons escalated after he scored on his senior debut for the Merseyside giants – a 30-yard strike against Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup in September 2014.

But he ultimately featured in just four more games for Liverpool, before being offloaded to Rangers.

In four years at Ibrox, he managed just 16 outings, enjoying two loan spells at Bury and Fleetwood, before penning a permanent deal with the latter in 2020.

Moves to Bristol City and Shrewsbury followed, before he linked up with Oldham on loan before travelling across the Irish Sea to join Waterford.

Despite a journeyman career so far, Rossiter is hoping that testing himself abroad will bring out the best of his abilities.

Commenting on his transfer, he remarked: “The opportunity that Sporting JAX presents excites me.

Getty

“This is a unique project to be part of, and with figures like Mark Warburton involved, I’m looking forward to lacing up for the club this season.”

Joining Rossiter and Neville at Sporting is former West Ham academy star Kienan Sadlier.

The 31-year-old has joined on a free transfer following his release at Wycombe last summer.

Sadlier will bring much-needed experience to Sporting, having competed in Scotland for St Mirren, in Ireland with Sligo Rovers and Cork City, and in England for Doncaster, Rotherham, Bolton, Leyton Orient and Wycombe.

Speaking of his Stateside switch, the two-time EFL Cup winner said: “This will definitely be a change of scenery for me.

“Playing in the United States will be different, but I’m excited to be part of something new and to help grow soccer in the Jacksonville community.”

And completing the quarter of British talent is Rafferty Pedder – Tottenham Hotspur‘s former Under-18 and U23 central midfielder.

The 23-year-old, who also represented QPR and Oxford City, has American experience having travelled across the pond to represent Tacoma Defiance in the MLS NEXT Pro.

He also featured in 15 matches for Seattle Sounders’ B team last season.

Pedder said of his move: “This opportunity is shaping up to be fun.

“The league and the club create something that really draws both players and fans in.”

Sporting’s transfer business has delighted Warburton, who remarked: “When you look at the paths these players have taken, it’s impressive.

“It’s now our job to use that development and experience to help us produce results in Jacksonville.”

While manager Fox is hoping the new recruits can bring instant success to Sporting.

He said: “This next group brings a wave of excitement.

“All three have spent time learning under top development systems in the United Kingdom, and we’re excited to see them bring that experience into the USL Championship.”

The British quartet will be hoping to make an immediate impact when Sporting plays their first professional match on March 7 at Hodges Stadium.