Justin Haak signs Homegrown contract

by Travis Clark

January 24, 2019

A New York City FC Academy original has joined the MLS side.

Midfielder Justin Haak was announced as the team's third Homegrown player on Thursday.

“It’s hard to describe,” Haak told nycfc.com about turning pro. “You dream about it almost your whole life and then what it actually comes - you almost can’t believe it.”

The No. 23 ranked recruit in the 2019 Boys IMG Academy Top 150, Haak was part of NYCFC's first-ever Academy team, which launched at the Under-13/14 age group for the 2015-16 season. Currently in his fourth campaign with the Under-18/19 side, he's made a total of 90 appearances, scoring 20 goals from his central midfield spot.

New York City FC Sign Academy Product Justin Haak 🖊️ #ForTheCity

READ ➡️ https://t.co/VNMGopA9Fl pic.twitter.com/Ltzb69QHqQ
— New York City FC (@NYCFC) January 24, 2019

“Justin is an amazing and smart kid whose story is a special one for New York City FC,” Reyna told nycfc.com. “He is one of the original academy members who joined our U-14s in 2015 and as a Brooklyn native, he’s our Club’s first ever signing from the five boroughs.”

The central midfielder earned Best XI honors at the U18/19 Development Academy playoffs last summer, leading the team to the DA Championship in July. He's earned multiple call-ups to various U.S. youth national teams, traveling with the U.S. U18 Men's National Team to Europe in August 2018.