Davian Kimbrough, a 13-year-old player, made his debut for the Sacramento Republic on Sunday, marking a historic moment in US soccer.
Davian Kimbrough was introduced in the 87th minute of Sacramento’s 2-0 victory against Las Vegas Lights on Sunday, 1st October 2023.
This feat saw the player make history by becoming the youngest professional athlete in American team sports.
Kimbrough also became the youngest professional soccer player to make their debut in a competitive match at just 13 years, seven month, and 13 days.
Davian Kimbrough broke the record that was previously held by Axel Kei who made his debut at the age of 13 years, nine months, and nine days.
Davian Kimbrough broke this record in 2023 after Axel Kei made his on October 8, 2021, for the Real Monarchs against Colorado Springs Switchbacks.
Also, the record for the youngest professional athlete in American team sports was previously held by New York City FC 2’s Maximo Carizzo, a feat set in 2022, said the Sacramento club.
Sacramento Republic currently competes in the USL Championship, the second tier of US soccer.
Sacramento also won the match on Sunday, which means they will remain in the first place in the Western Conference league.
Davian Kimbrough started with the team’s academy in 2011 at the age of 11 and he went on to score 27 goals in 31 matches.
The United States player spearheaded a team made up of players a year older than himself in the same year.
He also played a key role in the Republic’s Under-13 team in the season he made his debut with the team’s youth academy.
Kimbrough led Sacramento to make history with 30 wins and one loss, including 27 straight wins to begin the season.
Davian Kimbrough graduated to the Under-14 team the following year, and he also helped the team to finish first in its MLS Next division.
Major League Soccer’s youth league Kimbrough finished with 61 goals in 81 appearances in two seasons of MLS Next action.
Davian Kimbrough
Da’vian Jaleel Kimbrough is an American professional soccer player who was born on February 18, 2010 and plays as a forward for USL Championship club Sacramento Republic FC.
The US international became the youngest professional player in United States history at the age of 13 years, 7 months, and 13 days, when he made a first-team appearance on October 1, 2023.
The star was born in Woodland, California to an African-American father and Mexican-American mother.
He started playing youth soccer with North Bay Elite FC and Woodland SC and in 2021, he joined the Sacramento Republic FC academy.
In June 2023, he was a guest player with the New York Red Bulls Academy at the Bassevelde U13 Cup, helping them become the first MLS academy to win the tournament, and was named tournament MVP.
Contract And Salary
Davian Kimbrough became the youngest professional soccer player in the US when he put pen to paper on his first pro deal.
Futballnews cannot confirm the exact details of his contract and salary, but we can estimate the value of his first deal.
Kimbrough, who will be able to continue living at home with his parents, will reportedly receive the minimum compensation rate for a player in the United Soccer League (USL), the nation’s second-tier division.
Reports in 2021 claimed that USL and the USLPA players’ association had struck a deal that would see the majority of players entitled to a minimum $2,750 per month in 2023, with some fringe players receiving $2,250.
Kimbrough’s maiden professional contract may not be close to the six-figure salary received by Freddy Adu when he signed for DC United.
However, Davian Kimbrough could likely earn between $27,000 – $33,000 per year from this contract; not bad for a 13-year-old.
