Da’vian Kimbrough Is The Youngest Signed Professional Soccer Player In US History

The youngest professional athlete in U.S. team sports history was signed last Wednesday.

The Sacramento Republic announced that the team signed Da’vian Kimbrough to a professional soccer contract, which marked history. Kimbrough, according to CNN Sports, signed the contract with the team in the USL Championship, which is the second-tier of US soccer, at the age of 13, five months and 13 days.

“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, thriving at top competitions, to stepping on to the first team training grounds,” Sacramento Republic’s president and general manager Todd Dunivant said in a press release.

“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.”

It all started in 2021 when the youngster joined the team at the age of 11. Still, age ain’t nothing but a number, as he racked up 27 goals in 31 matches as he spearheaded a team infused with players much older than himself.

In his debut season for the team’s youth academy, he competed in a key role in the Republic’s under-13 team, which eared a countrywide-best record of 30 victories and one loss, including 27 straight wins to start the season.

For the under-14 team the following season, Kimbrough assisted the team to finish first in its MLS Next division -- Major League’s Soccer’s youth league -- as the Republic scored more than opponents by 146 goals. Altogether, he finished with 61 goals in 81 appearances in two seasons of MLS Next action.

“A young player’s path is never the same as the person seated next to them. Da’vian has shown tremendous focus, commitment and dedication, as well as a willingness to embrace the challenging road ahead of him,” Republic head coach Mark Briggs said.

The team stated that Kimbrough will be added to the first team, making him eligible for Sacramento squad games in the USL Championship immediately, while also continuing “his development as one of the team’s high potential players in the academy.”

He’ll make his debut Saturday against the Birmingham Legion.