Sacramento Republic has signed Da’vian Kimbrough to a professional contract, making him the youngest pro soccer player in United States history. Kimbrough, a forward, is 13 years, five months and 13 days old, making him younger than MLS record youngster Maximo Carrizo (New York City FC; 14 years, 0 days) and NWSL record holder Melanie Barcenas (San Diego Wave; 15 years, 4 months, 19 days) were when they signed.
“Da’vian’s journey with Republic FC is just beginning. He is a remarkable talent who has committed to his dream of becoming an elite player, from competing with players in older age groups and thriving at top competitions, to stepping on to the first team training grounds,” said Republic FC president and general manager Todd Dunivant. “We are honored that the Kimbrough family and Da’vian have chosen Republic FC to support his professional pathway, and we look forward to taking the next steps together.”
Kimbrough joined Sacramento’s player academy as an 11-year-old in 2021, where he debuted with their U-13 team. In his first season, he scored 27 goals in 31 games while playing up a level. The following year, he scored 34 goals across 50 appearances with the U-14s and U-15s in MLS Next competition.
In June, Kimbrough was a guest participant with the New York Red Bulls Academy at the Bassevelde U-13 Cup, a youth competition in Belgium that also featured youth teams from AZ, Celtic, Club Brugge, Juventus, PSV, RB Leipzig, Anderlecht, Benfica and West Ham among the 16-team field. The Red Bulls became the first MLS club to win the competition, with Kimbrough scoring six goals on his way to winning tournament MVP.
The Red Bulls were one of multiple MLS academies hoping to sign Kimbrough, a source briefed on the signing process told The Athletic. However, he will remain near his hometown of Woodland, Calif., for the next stage of his development, as he keeps his options open for a potential move to Europe rather than the domestic first division.
Kimbrough will be eligible to compete for Republic in USL Championship matches, per the club’s news release. His training schedule will be modified and monitored with the club’s sports medicine staff, in consultation with his family and USL safeguarding guidelines. He will continue a mixed training regimen that provides him the benefits of competing with professional players on the first team, as well as the unique development opportunities that happen in Academy competition. He will continue his studies and will be able to join Republic FC’s education partner — Elk Grove Charter School — in the future.
(Photo courtesy of Sacramento Republic)
