Sporting KC signs Homegrown trio

by J.R. Eskilson

January 20, 2021

Sporting KC announced on Wednesday that it had signed a trio of Homegrown players, agreeing to deals with midfielder Grayson Barber, forward Ozvaldo Cisneros and goalkeeper Brooks Thompson.

Barber is a 20-year-old forward that recently played his junior season at Clemson in the fall of 2020. He scored 13 goals and added 18 assists in 49 appearances for the Tigers. He played for the Sporting KC Academy from 2015-17.

"I'm delighted to sign for Sporting KC," Barber said in a press release. "It's really a dream come true to be back in Kansas City after developing in the Academy. I have always dreamed of playing for this club and getting this opportunity is a great feeling."

Cisneros is a 16-year-old attacker sitting at No. 17 in the 2022 Boys IMG Academy player rankings. In contention for the new-canceled Under-17 World Cup this year, he's played with SKC Academy teams from Under-13 through Under-10 age groups.

Making it double digits. #SportingKC now has 10 @SKCAcademy products on its @MLS roster 💪

Say hello to your newest signings 👋 @BrooksThompson0, @OzzieCisner10 and @Grayson_Barber5!#PathwaysToThePros
— Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) January 20, 2021

"I'm extremely happy to sign a contract with the first team at Sporting KC," Cisneros said in a press release. "This been a dream of mine ever since I first joined the Academy and I'm ready to work my hardest for the club."

Thompson, an 18-year-old shot-stopper, played the past two seasons on an amateur contract with Sporting KC II in the USL Championship. He joined the Sporting KC Academy back in 2018 after spending two seasons at IMG Academy.

"I'm extremely happy to sign my first MLS contract and join the first team," Thompson said in a press release. "I look forward to what the year has to offer and can't wait to get to work."

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