The Tijuana Xolos officially announced the additions of midfielder Frank Boya and forward Shamar Nicholson this Wednesday, February 5.

Xoloitzcuintles’ manager, Juan Carlos Osorio, had been talking about these new signings for a few weeks now with the local press.

Jackson Porozo was recently added to the roster and already made his Liga MX debut this past January 31 against Cruz Azul. Porozo was brought in to try and strengthen the backline, as was Franck Boya, who plays as a defensive midfielder and center-back.

¡SHAMAR NICHOLSON, NUEVO DELANTERO DEL XOLAJE! ⚽️🇯🇲

De Jamaica hasta Tijuana. Potencia, explosividad y definición llegan al ataque Xoloitzcuintle con el goleador internacional de los Reggae Boyz.

Welcome to Tijuana, Shamar! 🔴⚫#FuerzaTijuas 🐕 | https://t.co/W3lJRKOj1H pic.twitter.com/gUZgEFQ8V9

— Xolos 🐕 (@Xolos) February 6, 2025

Boya is coming over from French Ligue 2 side Amiens, where he made over 50 appearances. The Cameroonian midfielder has had a long trajectory in European football, playing with sides such as 1860 Munich and Antwerp.

The 28-year-old has a commanding physical presence at 6-foot-3 and a build that will rival any other Liga MX attacker. It will be interesting to see just how Osorio utilizes Boya, as the Colombian manager has played similar players out of their habitual positions.

Shamar Nicholson has more of a prestigious track record playing with Russian side Spartak Moscow and French side Clermont Foot. The Jamaican forward has also represented his nation consistently since 2017.

Nicholson also has a very imposing physical presence at 6-foot-4 and for a striker that has potential in this league. Raul Zuniga has been performing well, but another forward was needed after losing Carlos Gonzalez, given Osorio’s usual squad rotations.

In the recent Russian Premier League, the 27-year-old scored three goals in just three games played as a starter. Nicholson played top-level football in the French Ligue 1 in the 2023/2024 season, where he scored four goals and provided three assists in 26 games played.

Club Tijuana has only won one game this season, and these two signings have the potential to help the club. The Border City Dogs will travel to Guadalajara to face Chivas on Sunday, April 9, and then will host FC Juarez on Friday, February 14.

Francisco Velasco

Francisco, 28, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego FC, San Diego Wave. I have covered Liga MX, MLS, Mexico National Team, USWNT, Copa América and European clubs like Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund.