HARRISON, N.J. – If soccer players seem to be getting younger and younger these days, well, they are.
Red Bulls II have signed Red Bulls Academy product Curtis Ofori, 15, to a USL Championship contract pending federation and league approval, the club announced Monday.
Ofori, 15, most recently played for Red Bulls Academy Under-19 team as a left back. He made five appearances during the 2020 fall season and recorded one goal.
The defender becomes the youngest signing in franchise history at 15 years and 122 days old.
“Curtis [Ofori] is an impressive young man, he trained with us last year on a limited basis and I think that experience has pushed him forward and inspired him to push his own development forward,” NYRB II head coach John Wolyniec said. “He is developing into a shut down 1v1 defender, with a big engine and he continues to impress us on the ball.”
The Hopewell Junction, N.Y., native recorded his first goal for the U-19’s on September 12, 2020 against Cedar Stars Monmouth. Hopewell Junction is about six miles from Wappingers, N.Y., where former Red Bulls midfielder Tyler Adams, who plays for RB Leipzig (Bundesliga), grew up.
“I am thankful for being able to join such an amazing club,” Ofori said. “I cannot wait to get out on the field and fight for my teammates and the fans.”
Ofori joined Red Bulls Academy in 2017 starting with the U-13’s. He made 67 appearances and recorded five goals.
