New York City FC has signed the league’s youngest senior team in its history. The MLS Cup-winning squad will include Maximo Carrizo, a 14-year-old midfielder. Carrizo is a 14-year-old boy. He’s a native New Yorker who’s signed till 2027 with a 2027 option.
Word from Carrizo
In 2018, he joined NYCFC’s academy as a U-12 player from FC Westchester, and in 2022, he was invited to the club’s first-team preseason camp. He was called into a US U-15 youth national team training camp earlier this year.
Carrizo is eligible to play for NYCFC II, which will compete in the newly-formed Major League Soccer Pro League next season. He said in a statement: “It’s an honor for me and my family to make MLS history by becoming the league’s youngest player to sign a first-team contract.”
“This is an incredible Club with amazing people, I’d like to thank everyone at NYCFC for believing in me and helping me take the next step in my career. I know I’m young and I have a lot to improve, but I am ready for the challenge and will work hard every day to show everyone what I am capable of.”
Previous Records
Christian McFarlane, a 14-year-old defender, was also signed to a professional contract by NYCFC last season. Former NYCFC defender Joe Scally, who is now with Borussia Mönchengladbach in the German Bundesliga, is among the league’s top-10 youngest player acquisitions.
Axel Kei of Real Salt Lake held the MLS record for the youngest signing before Carrizo. Kei joined Real Salt Lake in January of this year. Carrizo, on the other hand, beat Kei by 15 days. Freddy Adu, who signed a contract with D.C. United in 2004, was the most recent MLS gem.
