The 13-year-old became the youngest North American soccer player after coming on as a substitute against Las Vegas Lights.
William GittinsWillGittUpdate: Oct 2nd, 2023 11:10 EDT
Sacramento Republic forward Da’vian Kimbrough broke a North American record on Sunday when he made his first professional appearance.
At the age of 13 years, seven months and 13 days Kimbrough became the youngest person to play professional soccer in the United States. He played the final few minutes in a 2-0 victory over Las Vegas Lights.
Kimbrough has been with the club since signing as an 11-year-old in 2021 and has impressed while moving through the age ranks. He starred for the Under-14 and Under-15 teams last year, scoring 34 goals in 50 appearances.
Historic. Da’vian Kimbrough makes his professional debut at 13 years, 7 months, 13 days with his hometown club. pic.twitter.com/SNjsxQPlA5
— x – Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) October 2, 2023
More recently he featured as a guest participant with the New York Red Bulls Academy at the Bassevelde Under-13 Cup in Belgium earlier this summer. He was awarded tournament MVP in a competition that included European teams Juventus, PSV Eindhoven, Benfica and West Ham United.
What is Da’vian Kimbrough’s salary?
Back in August Kimbrough became the youngest professional soccer player in the US when he put pen to paper on his first pro deal. At the time he was 13 years, five months and 13 days old, making his the ‘youngest professional athlete’ in the country.
Exact details of his contract and salary have not been made public by the club, but we can estimate the value of his first deal.
It is thought that Kimbrough, who will be able to continue living at home with his parents, will receive the minimum compensation rate for a player in the United Soccer League (USL), the nation’s second tier division.
