USL Academy Contracts
STRATEGIC GOAL
USL Academy contracts are a critical component of the platform’s holistic approach to improving youth development in American soccer. Players signing USL Academy contracts at any level of the USL System have the opportunity to experience the senior team level of play at a young age, while maintaining college eligibility.
As USL clubs invest more in supporting their local youth soccer communities, pathways from grassroots to professional soccer are expanding in USL markets around the country. USL senior teams in the Championship, Super League, League One, W League, and League Two are encouraged to identify top local players and provide them with opportunities to compete at a high level by signing them to USL Academy contracts.
To discover and promote these players, clubs can either establish an internal development system, build a youth network with local clubs, or do a combination of both. By doing so, USL clubs help drive the creation of collective youth soccer communities, with well-defined pathways to both Men and Women's professional soccer.
As players within those pathways are integrated into senior team environments, USL Championship, Super League, and League One clubs will be able to offer the most talented players professional or Academy contracts with their senior team.
This mechanism provides the players ready to go pro with a direct route to do so. Clubs in League Two and W League will use their senior team to provide their top young talents with experience competing against college-age players during the summer.
By pushing more young players across the United States into professional environments, the USL will play a key role in improving the overall level of the elite American player.
More clubs than ever are utilizing USL Academy contracts to great effect. See below to see examples of young players who successfully reached the pro level thanks to Academy contracts.
SUCCESS STORIES
Indy Eleven signs Academy product Logan Neidlinger to first pro contract
19-year-old has recorded one goal, one assist for Boys in Blue as USL Academy signing this season
Tampa Bay Rowdies add teenage local standout Endri Mustali
Forward becomes third 17-year-old to join Rowdies on pro contract this season
Oakland Roots SC signs young talent Ilya Alekseev to first pro deal
18-year-old has scored twice in USL Championship this season, helped Project 51O to deepest League Two Playoffs run
Locomotive signs Academy graduate Emiliano Rodriguez to pro deal
20-year-old was All-Tournament selection at 2023 USL Academy League Playoffs
New Mexico United signs Academy product Jackson DuBois to first pro deal
18-year-old defender has made two appearances in USL Championship, three in U.S. Open Cup in first season with First Team
Pair of USL Academy, USL League Two standouts sign with Charlotte's first team
Defenders Ryan Behrmann, Ethan Yates join the Jacks on USL Academy contracts
Rowdies Sign Cristian Ortiz to First Professional Contract
17-year-old becomes first Rowdies USL Academy signing to ink a professional deal
How a new rule in the USL Championship & League One is changing the game for young talent
Starting this season, home clubs can expand gameday rosters to provide U-18 players opportunity to experience First Team gameday, make senior debut
LouCity signs defender Hayden Stamps to USL Academy contract
16-year-old competed for Kentucky Country Day School, has trained with club this preseason
New Mexico United signs trio of players to USL Academy contracts
New Mexico natives Yuto Oketani, Jace Sais, and Jackson DuBois to join squad for 2024 campaign
Latest News
Indy Eleven signs Academy product Logan Neidlinger to first pro contract
- By USLChampionship.com Staff 10/09/2024, 11:00am EDT
Road to the USL Academy League Finals: SSA Swarm FC
- By USL Academy Staff 09/25/2024, 1:00pm EDT
United Soccer League Unveils Pathway Classic, a New National Youth Tournament
- By USL Communications 09/05/2024, 12:00pm EDT