“Devin has been one of the better players in MLS Next in his six months with the U-19 squad,” MNUFC Youth Development Director Noel Quinn said in a statement. “We converted him from a center-forward to a leftback after looking at his attributes and the style the first team currently play. He’s improved massively in terms of his overall knowledge of the game but especially in terms of the role and responsibility of playing leftback. Beyond that, what was very clear to us was his mentality. He’s adaptable and dependable. His willingness to change his position based on our feedback demonstrated a lot of maturity.”

Transaction.

Minnesota United sign defender Devin Padelford as a Homegrown Player. Padelford has signed a three-year contract with Minnesota with two club options.

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— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) March 10, 2022

The Maplewood-native played for St. Croix Academy and Woodbury High School before joining the MLS youth program. A 2021 graduate of Woodbury High School, he was named All-State and Conference Player of the Year in 2021. He had previous committed to Saint Louis.