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
Quartet of USL Championship talent selected to U.S. U-19s, U-17s November camps
Republic FC’s Chibi Ukaegbu, Blake Willey selected to U-19s, Orange County’s Tyson Espy, San Antonio’s Landry Walker to U-17s
Orange County SC signs defender Nicola Ciotta to first pro deal
19-year-old has made 10 appearances this season as USL Academy signing across all competitions
North Carolina FC signs academy product Finn Sundstrom to first pro deal
18-year-old center back agrees contract through 2027 USL Championship season, has recorded 1,562 minutes of action so far this campaign
Richmond Kickers play Spain's CD Leganés to 1-1 draw
11 homegrown players led Kickers to draw against La Liga 2 side at City Stadium
San Antonio FC announces addition of five USL Academy signings
USYNT player Landry Walker made Championship debut in 2024, joined by Leonides Urrutia, Braylon Jernigan, Angel Mercado, Leonardo Jauregui in squad
FC Naples adds first pair of USL Academy players to roster
Local products developed in MLS, German Bundesliga academies
Colorado Springs Switchbacks make pair of USL Academy signings
Nino Maldonado, Chase Gozdieski join club for 2025 USL Championship campaign
Taylor Smith becomes Super League's First Academy Player to Earn Professional Contract
Smith becomes youngest player to secure a professional contract in Super League
Charleston Battery re-sign Charleston native Enzo Mori to Academy contract
Stratford HS alum returns for second campaign with hometown club, made Championship debut in 2024
Switchbacks add Henry Weston as USL Academy signing
18-year-old has previously been part of New York Red Bulls Academy, trialed at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Coventry City
Latest News
Quartet of USL Championship talent selected to U.S. U-19s, U-17s November camps
- By USLChampionship.com Staff 11/07/2025, 3:00pm EST
USL Academy draws bracket for 2025 Finals
- By USLAcademy.com Staff 11/07/2025, 1:00pm EST
USL Academy announces return of League Football Education All-Stars to 2025 USL Academy Finals
- By USLAcademy.com Staff 11/07/2025, 10:00am EST