ORLANDO – Orlando City SC has made history, signing the youngest player in club history as they signed Thomas Williams to a homegrown contract on Tuesday.
Williams is 16 years and 10 months old setting a new mark for the team on signing age. His contract is guaranteed through to the 2024 season and includes a club option for 2025 should things go well.
Orlando has now signed 11 homegrown players through the Major League Soccer history of the club with three this season, Wilfredo Rivera and Raul Aguillera being the other two players.
He’s been a key part of the reserve team, Orlando City B this season making 13 appearances, 10 of them starts. The defender joined the Lions’ academy six years ago and has firmly established himself in the fabric of the club.
“We are really excited to get Thomas signed with the Club,” said EVP of Soccer Operations Luiz Muzzi. “Now our youngest player in Club history, he’s trained with the First Team in the last two preseasons starting from when he was just 15. A left-footed defender that has great skill on the ball and untold potential, we believe Thomas will be an important addition to the Club for a long time to come.”
The Titusville native becomes the eighth homegrown player on the OCSC 2021 roster, with Michael Halliday, Mason Stajduhar, Jordan Bender, David Loera, and Benji Michel being the five that had come in before this season.
His potential is notable with the youngster already having a taste of international soccer with the USA Under 17s side that played at the UEFA Development Tournament last year.
Graphic: Orlando City SC
Florida Soccer Report 