USYNT vet Gray signs Homegrown contract

by Travis Clark

November 27, 2019

Another top talent from the class of 2020 has signed a professional contract.

New York City FC defender/midfielder Tayvon Gray inked a Homegrown deal with New York City FC, the team announced on Tuesday. He becomes the first player from the Bronx to join the franchise.

“Tayvon’s been in our Academy for the past few years and really developed over the last 18 months and we couldn’t be more excited for him to join our First Team and be with us for the future," NYCFC Sportin Director David Lee told nycfc.com.

Gray joined the NYCFC Academy ahead of the 2017-18 Development Academy season, after initially playing for Cedar Stars Academy - Bergen. He's made a total of 48 appearances in DA games during that stretch, and was part of the Under-18/19 team that won the DA title this past summer.

"I'm a Bronx kid."

Welcome to the First Team, Tayvon!

📰➡️ https://t.co/WYxMJjWl74 #NYCFC pic.twitter.com/JhMQJfCNM8
— New York City FC (@NYCFC) November 26, 2019

He's also been a mainstay for the U.S. youth national team, helping the Under-17s secure a spot at this year's World Cup in Brazil. Gray started two games at center back there, as the United States crashed out in the group stage. Gray comes in at No. 4 in the 2020 Boys IMG Academy Top 150 player rankings.

"Since I’ve come into the Academy, my goal was to one day make it to the First Team," Gray told nycfc.com. "I’ve been able to train and go on preseason with them before, but to now sign a professional contract is an amazing feeling. I’m ready to work as hard as I can to help this team achieve what we all want, to win the league."