Gotham FC make McKenna Whitham, 13, youngest signing in NWSL history

History is knocking on U.S. soccer’s doorstep.

On Friday, NJ/NY Gotham FC signed 13-year-old McKenna “Mak” Whitham – making her the youngest signing in NWSL history, which occurred a day before her birthday on Saturday.

“I processed it, and it’s still new to me,” Whitham 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.”

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The Wunderkid’s guaranteed contract is effective on Jan. 1, 2025, while running through 2028.

She was acquired through the NWSL under-18 entry mechanism, which bypassed her from the league’s draft and allowed her to be selected under 18.

Moreover, the organization signed her under a United States National Team Replacement Contract for their upcoming games.

Because of this, the youngster’s professional debut could arrive on Sunday during the international window – a day after her birthday – in a clash against the Washington Spirit, part of the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup.

“I am really excited to sign and begin my professional career with Gotham FC,” Whitham said.

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“Gotham FC is a great place for me to continue to push myself as a player. I can’t wait to get to work and to continue to grow as a player with the great players, coaches and staff at Gotham FC.”

If she steps onto the pitch, Whitham would become the youngest to participate in a top-level men’s or women’s soccer match across the United States.

Additionally, she would be the youngest player to appear in an outing across the NBA, NHL, NFL, WNBA, or MLB since at least 1970 – according to the Elias Sports Bureau, per ESPN.

Whitham has the chance to shatter Cavan Sullivan’s recent record of becoming the youngest player to enter an MLS match.

Sullivan was 14 years and 293 days old when he broke Freddy Adu’s record earlier this month, and Whitham is a whopping ten months younger than Sullivan.

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The San Francisco native has been practicing on-and-off throughout 2024 with the club, alongside being a non-roster invitee for the team’s preseason training.

Before Gotham’s regular season ensued, Whitham tucked away the winning goal against Deportivo Cali to take the team to The Women’s Cup Colombia final.

“Mak has proven herself each day at training, and we are excited to help her on her journey as a professional athlete,” Gotham FC General Manager and Head of Soccer Operations Yael Averbuch West said.

“We are committed to fostering an environment that will help Mak grow not only as a player, but as a person as well.”

Furthermore, as reported by ESPN, the prodigy emerged as the youngest athlete to sign a name, likeness and image (NIL) sponsorship with Nike in February.

“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,” Whitham said to ESPN.

“And I think that it’s a lot of hard work, self-belief.”

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