WINDSOR, Colo. – Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC announced the signing of midfielder Chase Gozdieski to a USL Academy contract, pending league and federation approval. The 17-year-old midfielder becomes the first USL Academy signing in Hailstorm history.

Gozdieski, a native of San Diego, Calif., played in the academy of USL Championship side Orange County SC and with MLS NEXT club City SC prior to joining Hailstorm's U-20 squad.

"This is a great day for the Academy to have our first-ever player sign and get the opportunity to compete for a spot on the first team and potentially make their debut in the weeks and months to come," Hailstorm Academy director Kevin Ireland said. "When we set out to put this pathway in place, this was the end goal we had in mind. We are excited for Chase to sign this contract but we are very confident he won’t be the last with the pathway we are currently building in the youth space."

"The idea is that we can bleed our own young players through and give them opportunities," Northern Colorado Head Coach and Technical Director Éamon Zayed said. "We want to establish that over the next few years and be one of the best academies and youth structures in Colorado."

USL Academy contracts enable players to train and play in matches with the Hailstorm while retaining college eligibility. Gozdieski is the first of several Hailstorm Academy players that have trained with the first team to sign a USL Academy contract.