13-Year-Old Soccer Phenom McKenna Whitham Signs Historic Deal with Gotham FC

NJ/NY Gotham FC, reigning champions of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), have made history by signing 13-year-old McKenna "Mak" Whitham to a three-year contract. This groundbreaking move makes Whitham the youngest signing in league history and potentially the youngest player to ever compete in a major North American sports league since 1970.

The rise of young talent in North American soccer has reached new heights with the signing of McKenna Whitham by NJ/NY Gotham FC. At just 13 years old, Whitham has become the youngest player to sign a professional soccer contract in the NWSL, breaking barriers and setting a new precedent for the future of the sport.

13-Year-Old Soccer Phenom McKenna Whitham Signs Historic Deal with Gotham FC

Gotham FC, as reigning NWSL champions, have recognized Whitham's exceptional abilities and have not hesitated to offer her a contract. The young phenom, who turns 14 on Saturday, has impressed with her technical skills and maturity on the field.

"I processed it, and it's still new to me," Whitham told ESPN upon signing her contract. "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."

13-Year-Old Soccer Phenom McKenna Whitham Signs Historic Deal with Gotham FC

Whitham's contract will officially go into effect in January 2025. However, due to several Gotham players being away for the Olympics, she has been named a replacement player and could potentially make her NWSL debut this weekend. This would make her the youngest player to compete in a major North American sports league since at least 1970.

Gotham FC general manager Yael Averbuch West emphasized the importance of supporting Whitham's development beyond soccer, stating, "The on-the-field is the easiest part of this, I think, and the quickest for us to kind of evaluate and know how to support her. But we've undertaken a really robust process in terms of making sure that this is the right thing in her life, socially, mentally and in every possible way."

13-Year-Old Soccer Phenom McKenna Whitham Signs Historic Deal with Gotham FC

Whitham's talent was evident earlier this year when she participated as a non-roster invitee in a tournament in Colombia with Gotham. She scored the lone goal in a victory against Deportivo Cali, helping the team secure the tournament victory.

"She's going to still be with us through this year and be able to train and continue to develop and then kind of step up into the environment come preseason to fight for her opportunity on our roster," Averbuch West said.

Whitham's signing exemplifies the club's commitment to investing in youth talent and creating a nurturing environment for players to reach their full potential. "We have spent a long time not just evaluating Mak as a player, but actually also evaluating our ability to support Mak and to create a safe and fulfilling environment for her," Averbuch West added.

Whitham, already recognized as a highly skilled player, remains grounded and focused on improving. "I'd seen myself as a really good player, but, also, there's a lot to improve on, and I knew that I could accomplish it," she said. "And I think that it's a lot of hard work, self-belief."

The signing of McKenna Whitham marks a significant milestone in North American soccer. Her exceptional talent, combined with the support and resources of Gotham FC, has opened the door for young athletes to pursue their dreams and achieve greatness in the sport.