TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing
The Philadelphia Unionannounced the signing of academy product Jack de Vries to a Homegrown Player contract on Tuesday, making the U.S. youth international attacker the 12th HGP in the club’s history. De Vries, 17, is slated to join the first team effective Jan. 1.
“Completing the signing of an academy product to the first team is a momentous occasion for both the player and our club, and the same holds true with Jack finalizing his agreement today,” said Union sporting director Ernst Tanner in a club release. “He is an exciting attacking prospect who has appeared at the highest levels within his age group in the United States youth national team setup.”
De Vries has appeared for Bethlehem Steel FC, Philly’s USL Championship affiliate, as an academy player, playing in three games (two starts) this season. He was a member of the U.S. Under-17 national team side that finished as runners-up at the 2019 Concacaf Under-17 Championship and had previously committed to play NCAA soccer at the University of Virginia as a member of the Cavaliers' 2020 recruiting class.
De Vries is also a second-generation MLSer; his father Raimo was a member of the Colorado Rapids' inaugural squad in 1996.
“He is a very versatile player, capable of playing as an attacking midfielder or as a forward,” added Tanner. “He is ready for the leap to the professional game and we are pleased to have him officially join our first team next season.”
