San Diego FC make Duran Ferree first signing in club history
- San Diego are MLS's newest expansion team
- The team becomes the 30th MLS side
- Ferree is a promising, young talen for SDFC
Major League Soccer's newest expansion team San Diego FC has made their first-ever signing with the arrival of 17-year-old goalkeeper Duran Ferree.
Ferree is a San Diego native, making the signing even more special for the league's 30th team that will begin play in the 2025 season. The young shot-stopper has agreed to a deal through the 2027 MLS season with SDFC having an option for 2028.
"We are excited to have Duran [Ferree] join San Diego FC as a locally developed young talent," San Diego chief executive officer Tom Penn said in a release. "This signing spotlights our commitment to providing opportunities for local talent to flourish right here in San Diego. Duran's San Diego roots, natural talent, and promise for the future make him a valuable addition to our club."
Ferree spent the previous season with San Diego Loyal in the United Soccer League Championship, making six appearances in the process. The promising goalkeeper signed his first professional contract at just 15-years-old with San Diego Surf Soccer Club, a sign that a star was in the making.
He later on made his debut at the age of 16 before switching gears to play in the USL Championship.
Rooted in San Diego. Duran Ferree is Chrome & Azul.
— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) December 13, 2023
San Diego FC signs San Diego native and U.S. youth national goalkeeper Duran Ferree to a four-year contract.
🔗https://t.co/XlVe2NnOWE pic.twitter.com/HqdhiLNvWU
"I'm honored to sign with my new hometown club," Ferree said in a release.
"To be part of San Diego soccer history and play for my home city is beyond my wildest dreams. This is a testament to all the hard work I've put in to get here and is everything I've been working towards. I am eager to contribute to the growth and success of the Club, and I am excited about the journey ahead with my future teammates and the incredible fans in San Diego."
Ferree has represented the United States with the U-17 national team, with the most recent appearances coming in 2023 World Cup Qualifiers where he notched two clean sheets in five appearances.
San Diego hope to announce more players in early 2024, and the Western Conference team were able to sign Ferree but others due to MLS regulations -- "While MLS rules prohibit San Diego FC from signing other players until 2024, the Club is permitted to sign local, San Diego based, young players like Ferree."
The team will continue to to add to its roster with the upcoming 2024 MLS SuperDraft (December 19) ahead of their inaugural 2025 campaign at Snapdragon Stadium.