Today New York City Football Club (NYCFC) announced that it has signed Forward Zidane Yañez to a First Team contract as a Homegrown through 2028 with an option for 2029.
The 15-year-old Forward becomes the 13th Homegrown signing in Club history and the first center forward to sign a Homegrown contract. Yañez joined the NYCFC Academy in 2021 and has made regular appearances with the U17 team, most recently featuring in MLS NEXT Fest in Phoenix earlier this month.
Sporting Director David Lee said: “We are delighted that Zidane has become the latest player from our Academy to sign a professional contract with the Club. He has worked incredibly hard to improve and develop his game since joining the Academy with the support and guidance of our talented coaching staff, and we are excited that he has decided to take the next steps of his career in New York.
“He has excellent all-round attributes as a forward with good technical ability and movement, excellent tactical understanding of the role combined with a first-class work rate out of possession which is critical in the modern game. Most of all, though, he has consistently shown that he is a clinical goal scorer at every age group. We are looking forward to continuing to develop his game and ensure that his qualities improve, and his potential adapts to the professional level.
“Zidane is the latest player from our incredible Academy to make the step into the professional game and continues to show the opportunity that players have at our Club to develop and maximize their potential. We are building a rich history of Homegrown talent at this Club, and we see the impact these players have had over the years from helping the Club lift its first pieces of silverware to scoring the first Homegrown goals.
“We are looking forward to working with Zidane and providing him the right opportunities to continue his development and make an impact on the First Team in the years ahead.”
Yañez made his international debut this year, scoring two goals and tallying an assist across seven appearances for Chile and Puerto Rico’s U15 National Teams combined. The Forward was most recently called into the U.S. U16 National Team camp earlier this year.
Forward Zidane Yañez said: “It’s an honor to sign my first professional contract with NYCFC. It’s always been a dream of mine to play soccer professionally and to sign with this Club is a big step in accomplishing that dream. I know this is just the beginning, I will continue to work hard every day to improve and reach my full potential both professionally and personally.
“NYCFC is an incredible organization, from the first day everyone was so welcoming, I quickly bonded with my teammates and the coaching staff and it’s a testament to the culture that’s in place. NYCFC plays a system that suits my style and compliments my attributes, I truly feel that this was the best place to continue my development. This sport is everything to me, I can’t live without it, I look forward to playing in front of our home fans and help add more trophies to the cabinet.”
Transaction: New York City Football Club signs Forward Zidane Yañez to a First Team contract as a Homegrown through 2028 with an option for 2029.
Name: Zidane Yañez
Position: Forward
Date of Birth: January 26, 2008
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 150lb
Hometown: Union, New Jersey
