Aziel Christopher Jackson (born October 25, 2001), also known as AZ, is an American professional soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder for Major League Soccer club Minnesota United, on loan from Ekstraklasa club Jagiellonia Białystok.
Club career Youth Jackson joined the New York Red Bulls academy in 2014, where he played until 2017. In 2017, he moved with his family to France, subsequently joining the Toulouse academy until 2018. He also spent time with Championnat National 3 side Blagnac. In 2019, he returned to the United States, joining the Crossfire FC academy, as well as training with Seattle Sounders FC in 2020.
Minnesota United On April 30, 2021, Jackson signed a homegrown player contract with Major League Soccer club Minnesota United FC, who acquired his rights from New York Red Bulls in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft. On August 24, 2021, Jackson was loaned to USL League One side North Carolina FC.
On March 23, 2022, it was announced Jackson would spend the season with Minnesota United FC 2, the club's MLS Next Pro side.
St. Louis City On November 7, 2022, Jackson was traded to St. Louis City SC in exchange for $150,000 of General Allocation Money ahead of the club's inaugural MLS season.
St. Louis City 2 On March 26, 2023, Jackson was on loan from his first team St. Louis City SC and he made his debut against Tacoma Defiance.
Columbus Crew On June 18, 2024, Jackson was traded to Columbus Crew in exchange for a guaranteed $650,000 in General Allocation Money. St. Louis could also receive another $250,000 in conditional General Allocation Money and maintain a sell-on percentage if Jackson is sold outside of MLS. Jackson made his first appearance for the club on July 20 as a substitute in a 2–1 loss to Atlanta United, and scored his first goal for the Columbus Crew on September 21 in a 4–3 win over Orlando City.
Jagiellonia Białystok On July 23, 2025, Polish Ekstraklasa club Jagiellonia Białystok signed Jackson on a three-year deal, with an option for a fourth year, for an undisclosed fee. He made his debut for the club off of the bench in a 3–2 win over Widzew Łódź on July 27.
Loan to Vancouver Whitecaps On January 30, 2026, Jackson returned to Major League Soccer, joining Vancouver Whitecaps on a five-month loan with an option to buy. On February 21, 2026, Jackson scored the winning goal in his debut MLS match for Vancouver.
Loan to Minnesota United On August 13, 2026, Jackson rejoined Minnesota United on loan with a purchase option.
International career Jackson made his debut for the senior United States national team on January 20, 2024, in a friendly against Slovenia.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsBlagnac2018–19Championnat National 340———40Minnesota United2021MLS00——00002022MLS0020—0020Total0020—0020North Carolina FC (loan)2021USL League One121———121Minnesota United 22022MLS Next Pro2310———2310St. Louis City SC2023MLS2512220203132024MLS1600020—180Total411224020493St. Louis City 22023MLS Next Pro81——0081Columbus Crew 22024MLS Next Pro 10——0010Columbus Crew2024MLS920010101122025MLS1820020—212Total274003010314Jagiellonia Białystok2025–26Ekstraklasa600050—110Jagiellonia Białystok II2025–26III liga, group I10———10Vancouver Whitecaps (loan)2026MLS101—40—141Minnesota United (loan)2026MLS20———20Career total13518421603015820
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsUnited States202410Total10
Personal Aziel is the son of jazz drummer and composer Ali Jackson Jr. His favorite player is Ronaldinho.
Honors St. Louis City SC Western Conference (regular season): 2023
Columbus Crew Leagues Cup: 2024
Individual MLS Next Pro Best XI: 2022
References
External links Aziel Jackson at Minnesota United FC