The New York Red Bulls signed 14-year-old Bento Estrela to a Homegrown contract on Tuesday, one day ahead of his 15th birthday, the team announced. The terms of the deal were not announced per franchise policy. 

“Bento has stood out at the academy level and progressed quickly while playing with an older age group,” New York Red Bulls Head of Sporting Kevin Thelwell said in a press release. “By bringing him into our professional environment, we aim to maximize his development and give him the best chance to grow as a player and a person.”

Estrela is the youngest Homegrown signing in the history of the franchise. And the 24th Homegrown signing in the history of the team. Estrela is one of four Homegrown players on the current roster. 

The teenager joined the Academy in July of 2019. He scored three goals in 14 appearances in the Development Academy during the 2019-2020 season while playing for the U14 and U15 teams at the Academy. The midfielder played for the U17 and U19 teams during the 2020/2021 club season. He scored a goal in the Red Bull U19s game against Philadelphia Union II in November of 2020. 

"We at the Academy are extremely proud of Bento’s progress over the last 18 months and are excited to see him sign his first professional contract with New York Red Bulls,” Red Bulls Academy Director Sean McCafferty said in a press release. “Although Bento is very young, he understands that this is just the beginning and that the hard work starts now. I’d like to take this moment to congratulate Fouad Kawtari for scouting and recruiting Bento to New York Red Bulls and also the Academy coaches/staff who work hard to challenge him every day to ensure we accelerate his development and ultimately help him fulfill his potential.”

Estrela joins Sean Davis, Omir Fernandez, and John Tolkin as current Homegrown players on the roster. He was given the No. 91 jersey during his signing. He is the first player born in 2006 to sign a professional contract with MLS. 

Photo credit: New York Red Bulls 

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