About 20 years ago, Freddy Adu became the youngest U.S. citizen to sign a contract with a professional soccer team. The Ghanaian-American attacking midfielder signed with D.C. United in the MLS at the age of 14, amid comparisons to the greatest soccer player to have ever lived, Pelé. Although Adu never lived up to the hype, the wonder kid would go on to join the U.S. National Men's team and play in the 2008 Olympics before he turned 19. Fast forward to the present day, where a new teen prodigy named Da'vian Kimbrough has given hope to fans of "The Beautiful Game" that the next generation of U.S. soccer players may finally produce a trip beyond the semifinals in the World Cup someday.
On Tuesday, Da'vian Kimbrough signed a five-year contract with Sacramento Republic FC worth $32,4000 per year, making him the youngest athlete in the history of professional team sports in America--a record once held by Freddy Adu. At 5'11" and 150 pounds, Kimbrough towered over the competition in an under-14 youth soccer league last season, where he faced the best players from prestigious ball clubs such as Juventus and Benfica. The forward scored 61 goals en route to earning the Most Valuable Player Award at the Bassevelde U13 Cup.
Kimbrough was born to an African American father and a Mexican American mother on February 18, 2010. His proud parents attended the press coverage, along with Kimbrough's excited younger siblings. After spending the last few years with Republic FC's academy club, he will be eligible to play in his first game with the pro team on Saturday against Birmingham Legion.
Click here to watch an interview with his parents.
Source: YouTube
