Sacramento Republic Announces Deal for 13-Year-Old Da’vian Kimbrough…and Team Says Striker Is Youngest Professional Athlete in U.S. Team Sports History
- Da’vian Kimbrough joins the club’s first team after dominating at the academy level
- His training schedule is ‘monitored with the club’s sports medical staff’
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USL Championship club Sacramento Republic has announced the signing of 13-year-old forward Da’vian Kimbrough, whom the team says is the youngest professional athlete in the history of American team sports.
Kimbrough, who joined Republic’s academy in 2021, has scored 61 goals in 81 appearances at youth level.
“Da’vian’s journey with Republic FC has only just begun,” said Republic president and general manager Todd Dunivant in a club press release.
“He is a remarkable talent who has committed to his dream of becoming an elite player, from competing against players in older age groups and thriving in top leagues, to stepping onto the first-team training ground.
“We are honored that the Kimbrough family and Da’vian have chosen Republic FC to support his professional path, and we look forward to taking the next steps together.”
Da’vian Kimbrough dominated at academy level, scoring 61 goals in 81 appearances
Kimbrough is the youngest professional athlete in American sports history, the team said on Tuesday
Kimbrough will practice with both professional and academy players, the team said
Kimbrough (13 years, five months and 13 days old) is younger than NYCFC’s Maximo Carrizo (14 years, zero days), the youngest player ever to sign with an MLS club.
Freddy Adu, who was 14 years and 306 days young when he first played for DC United in 2004, still holds the record for MLS’ youngest debutant.
Kimbrough will be available for selection vs. the Birmingham Legion, the club said.
Nevertheless, it looks like Republic will take it easy on the youngster.
The club said Kimbrough’s training schedule “will be amended and monitored with the club’s sports medicine staff,” and that he will practice with both professional and academy players.
He will also continue his studies, the club said.