Gotham FC sign youngest player, 13, in NWSL history

Thirteen-year-old McKenna Whitham signed a professional contract with the NJ/NY Gotham FC on Friday, making her the youngest player in NWSL history.

Whitham, who turns 14 on Saturday, reportedly signed a guaranteed contract that becomes effective Jan. 1, 2025, and runs through 2028. She also signed a signed a national team replacement player contract, which makes her available to play in upcoming NWSL x Liga MX Summer Cup matches.

"I processed it, and it's still new to me," Whitham, who goes ny "Mak," told ESPN. "But, I mean, I'm not going to be cocky about it. I'm going to stay humble, and I'm still going to keep developing. My goal is to be a top player in the NWSL, and I know that Gotham will help me become that player."

#GothamFC have officially signed forward Mak Whitham through 2028, effective 1/1/2025. Mak also signed a National Team Replacement Player contract, which makes her available for our upcoming Summer Cup matches.

Mak Whitham is officially the youngest player in @NWSL history.

— NJ/NY Gotham FC (@GothamFC) July 26, 2024

Whitham's debut could come as early as Sunday, when the reigning NWSL champions face the Washington Spirit in the Summer Cup.

If she plays Sunday, the San Francisco native could become the youngest person to play in a first-division men's or women's soccer match in the United States, and younger than anyone who's played in the WNBA, NBA, NHL, NFL or Major League Baseball since at least 1970, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, per ESPN.

The youngest person to play a match in NWSL history is Melanie Barcenas, who was 15 years and 177 days old when she debuted for the San Diego Wave FC in April 2023.

On July 17, Cavan Sullivan became the youngest ever player in Major League Soccer, making his debut for the Philadelphia Union at the age of 14 years and 293 days old, about two weeks younger than the previous record-holder, Freddy Adu, in 2004.

In February, Whitham became the youngest athlete ever to sign a name, likeness and image (NIL) sponsorship with Nike.

--Field Level Media