FCD signs homegrown player Acosta

Published Jul. 12, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

FC Dallas has signed a Plano teenager to his first pro team contract under the homegrown player rule in Major League Soccer.

With the signing Thursday of Kellyn Acosta, FC Dallas now has seven players under a rule that allows clubs to sign players who have participated in their development academy for at least a year. Only Toronto FC has signed as many under the 2008 provision.

Acosta, who turns 17 on July 24, is part of the U.S. Under-18 national team player pool. He will be available for selection at the start of the 2013 MLS season.

Acosta scored nine times while starting 27 of 28 games during the 2011-12 FC Dallas development academy season.

“FC Dallas is excited to sign Kellyn Acosta to a professional contract,” said FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman. “Kellyn is a very gifted player. We see him as a player that may start off as a defender, but eventually he will make his way into the midfield. He brings a lot of athleticism. He is a two-way player and he seems to be a very courageous player.”

Acosta was the youngest member of the US U-17 National Team last year. He also previously spent time in the US U-17 full-time Residency Program, where up-and-coming US players train and attend classes.

The 16-year-old signs on with a team whose starting goalkeeper, Kevin Hartman, is more than two decades older than him, at age 38.