Major League Soccer (MLS) has ended Sacramento's long wait for an expansion franchise by confirming the city's United Soccer League (USL) outfit as its 29th team, reports, www.sportspromedia.com/

The announcement, made at a press conference on Monday, will see Sacramento Republic FC pay a US$200 million expansion fee to join North America's premier soccer league in 2022. According to the Sacramento Bee, that figure is part of an estimated US$500 million to US$600 million Ron Burkle's ownership group is expected to invest to bring MLS to the Californian capital.

The team will play at a new, US$300 million, 20,100-seat soccer stadium being built in the California capital city's downtown Railyards District, which will be at the heart of a redevelopment project that will also include housing, retail, theatres, parks, museums, a hotel and a major medical centre.

"Major League Soccer continues to grow throughout North America and we are so proud to welcome Sacramento as our newest team," said MLS commissioner Don Garber. "For many years, soccer fans in Sacramento have passionately supported Republic FC and shown that the club deserves to be competing at the highest level."