The Seattle Sounders have signed forward Victor Mansaray to a Homegrown Player contract, the club announced Wednesday. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms were not disclosed. Mansaray is not eligible to play for the Sounders until the 2015 season.
"Victor has been a huge presence in the Academy the last few seasons, and we are excited to see him develop further within the organization," said Sounders owner and general manager Adrian Hanauer in a statement. "He is a high-quality player with tremendous potential that embodies the standard of our academy system to produce pro-level athletes."
Mansaray, 17, is the fourth Homegrown Player signing in Sounders history, joining DeAndre Yedlin (2013), Sean Okoli and Aaron Kovar (2014).
"I think the time was right for me to take the next step going forward and it's a dream come true for me to sign with Sounders FC," said Mansaray in a statement. "I'm surrounded by the right people and I'm looking forward to working hard and getting better. That's why I'm here."
In his second season with the Sounders FC U-16s in 2013-14, Mansaray scored a team-high 18 goals in helping the team reach the USSDA playoffs for a second straight season. He entered the Sounders' academy midway through the 2012-13 season and finished that campaign with 11 goals in 20 matches, including just 11 starts. In eight matches this season for the U-18s, Mansaray has scored four goals and has regularly worn the captain's armband.
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"We are thrilled to add Victor as the club's fourth Homegrown Player and are confident in his ability to become a standout pro," said Sounders sporting director Chris Henderson in a statement. "He has all the tools to succeed, and his time with the academy and the U-18 national team prepared him well. We are excited to continue his development."
Mansaray helped the US U-18 national team to a 3-0 record and tournament title in the Czech Republic in August. He made two appearances and logged 106 total minutes, including appearances in a 3-1 win over Hungary in the opener and a 1-0 win over Ukraine in the final. Mansaray was raised in Sierra Leone and spent time in Jamaica before moving to Western Washington.
