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, League One 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 professional soccer.
As players within those pathways are integrated into senior team environments, USL Championship 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 will use their senior team to provide their top young talents 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.
As reported in July 2022, 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
LouCity goalkeeper Alex Kron joins First Team as USL Academy signing
2022 United Soccer Coaches All-America selection is fourth current Academy signing in roster
Republic FC adds Ezekiel Padilla as USL Academy signing
Local product will be available for remainder of the 2023 season after starring for club’s U-17 squad
Locomotive FC’s Marton Demko selected for Hungary’s UEFA U-17 Championship squad
Defender was called up for pre-tournament training camp, earned place in final 21-man roster as event kicks off Wednesday
Rising FC adds Glendale native Jack Ramirez as USL Academy signing
16-year-old midfielder becomes fifth academy player to join club’s First Team this season
Orange County adds midfielder Ben Norris as USL Academy signing
16-year-old played for club at 2022 USL Academy League Finals, joins three other Academy signings in squad
Why Joshua Wynder’s USMNT call-up is a ‘gamechanger’
ESPN’s Herculez Gomez sees LouCity standout’s landmark as opening new pathway, shows how expansion has brought opportunity for young talent
Republic FC signs trio of players to USL Academy contracts
Yohannes, Willey and Kelly join First Team having been part of club’s Academy system since 2017
Aimar Membrila rejoins FC Tulsa as USL Academy signing
19-year-old midfielder made Championship debut late in 2022 season, committed to University of Tulsa
Switchbacks add Dillon Clarke as USL Academy signing
Colorado Springs native joins club for 2023 season after competing for Pride Soccer locally
LouCity adds Smith, Elder as USL Academy signings
Local standouts join squad ahead of Saturday’s contest with El Paso Locomotive FC
Latest News
LouCity goalkeeper Alex Kron joins First Team as USL Academy signing
- By USLChampionship.com Staff 05/25/2023, 1:22pm EDT
Republic FC adds Ezekiel Padilla as USL Academy signing
- By USLChampionship.com Staff 05/25/2023, 1:10pm EDT
USL Academy League Introduces Girls Divisions, Welcomes Additional Boys Programs in 2023
- By USLSoccer.com Staff 05/24/2023, 1:00pm EDT