Jackson Gardner is heading Down Under.

Two months after leading the TRU WolfPack men’s soccer team to the U SPORTS national title at Hillside Stadium, the Chilliwack native has signed his first professional contract with Glenorchy Knights, based in Tasmania, Australia.

“I feel like the stars aligned over the last five years; I’ve gotten to build lifelong relationships, get a quality education and experience moments that will live with me forever,” Gardner said in a TRU WolfPack news release Friday.

A six-foot-one graduate of Sardis Secondary, Gardner is the WolfPack leader in saves, wins, and shutouts. At the conference level, he finished his university career fourth overall in goals against average (0.99) and eighth in shutouts (16).

Gardner played every minute of the U Sports National Championship as the WolfPack beat McMaster, Cape Breton, and UBC in penalty kicks en route to winning gold. He made nine saves along with four more in the shootouts to give the WolfPack their first ever U SPORTS national title, and was named to the tournament all-star team.

“My career at TRU has been unbelievable,” Gardner added. “I’ve had the pleasure of working with an amazing coaching staff who have been integral in my development. I feel so lucky to have learned from the guidance of my past teammates and everyone involved with WolfPack athletics.”

Excited for this new chapter down under! 🇦🇺⚽️ #NPL pic.twitter.com/1HBiQaFInR

— Jackson Gardner (@jacksongardnerr) January 12, 2023

Based in a suburb of Hobart, the Knights compete in the National Premier League, the second tier of professional football in Australia. They won the league title in 2021 and finished fourth in 2022.

“They’re an extremely competitive side and I’m eager to bring the league title back where it belongs,” Gardner said. “I can’t wait to bring everything that I’ve learnt during my time with the WolfPack to Australia.”

“When I first committed to TRU, I had a vision that always ended with me becoming a professional footballer. It’s like a dream come true.”

🎉 We hope that you all attack 2023 with the energy of Jackson Gardner doing the Macarena in the @USPORTS_Soccer Championship Game 🎉 pic.twitter.com/ROLoLEXlrn

— TRU WolfPack 🐺 (@GoTRUWolfPack) December 31, 2022