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Da'vian Kimbrough
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Da'vian Jaleel Kimbrough (born February 18, 2010) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for USL Championship club Sacramento Republic FC. He became the youngest professional player in United States history at the age of 13 years, 7 months, and 13 days, when he made a first-team appearance in October 2023. Born in the United States, he plays for the Mexico national under-15 team.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Kimbrough was born in Woodland, California to an African-American father and Mexican-American mother.[1] He began playing youth soccer with North Bay Elite FC and Woodland SC.[2] In 2021, he joined the Sacramento Republic FC academy.[3] In June 2023, he was a guest player with the New York Red Bulls Academy at the Bassevelde U13 Cup, helping them become the first MLS academy to win the tournament and was named tournament MVP.[4][5]
Club career
[edit]On August 8, 2023, he signed a professional contract with Sacramento Republic FC of the USL Championship, at the age of 13 years, 5 months, and 13 days, becoming the youngest professional athlete in US sports history.[6][7] On October 1, 2023, Kimbrough made his professional debut, coming on as a substitute against the Las Vegas Lights, becoming the youngest player to appear in an American team sport at the age of 13 years, seven months, and 13 days.[8][9]
International career
[edit]Kimbrough was born in the United States and is of Mexican descent, holding dual-citizenship.[10] In October 2022, he was invited to a United States identification camp for 2008 and 2009 born players (despite being a 2010).[11] He was called up to a training camp with the Mexico U16 team in September 2023.[12]
Career statistics
[edit]- As of July 21, 2024[13]
| Club | Season | League | Playoffs | National cup | Continental | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Sacramento Republic | 2023 | USL Championship | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 1 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 3 | 0 | |||
| Career total | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
References
[edit]- ^ Costa, Miguel. "Da'vian Kimbrough (13) Becomes the Youngest Pro Soccer Player in U.S. History". Vlad TV.
- ^ "13-Year-Old Standout Academy Player Da'vian Kimbrough to Join Republic FC First Team on Professional Contract". Sacramento Republic FC. August 8, 2023.
- ^ Jackson, Wilton (August 8, 2023). "13-Year-Old Soccer Phenom Becomes Youngest Pro in American Sports History". KSWB-TV.
- ^ Hernandez, Ceasr (August 8, 2023). "Sacramento Republic make U.S. soccer history inking Kimbrough, 13". ESPN.
- ^ Aguirre, Lucas [@luksarus] (June 26, 2023). "Name to follow: Davian Kimbrough 2010" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Rueter, Jeff (August 8, 2023). "Sacramento Republic signs Da'vian Kimbrough, 13, making him youngest pro soccer player in U.S. history". The Athletic.
- ^ Neumann, Sean (August 9, 2023). "13-Year-Old Da'vian Kimbrough Becomes Youngest Pro Athlete in U.S. History: 'A Remarkable Talent'". People.
- ^ Morse, Ben (October 1, 2023). "Soccer player Da'vian Kimbrough makes historic debut at age 13". CNN.
- ^ Burke, Elias (October 1, 2023). "Da'Vian Kimbrough, 13, becomes youngest pro player in U.S. soccer history with USL debut". The Athletic.
- ^ "Danny Dichio's USL club Sacramento Republic make 13-year old Da'vian Kimbrough the youngest pro in North American team sports". Waking the Red. August 9, 2023.
- ^ Guzman, Emilie. "10 Academy Players Invited to October YNT Talent ID Center". Sacramento Republic FC.
- ^ "Republic FC's Da'vian Kimbrough invited to Mexico U-16 National Team camp". USL Championship. September 18, 2023.
- ^ Da'vian Kimbrough at Soccerway
External links
[edit]- Da’vian Kimbrough at Soccerway.com
- Da’vian Kimbrough at WorldFootball.net
- Da’vian Kimbrough at FBref.com
Da'vian Kimbrough
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Family background
Da'vian Jaleel Kimbrough was born on February 18, 2010, in Woodland, California, to an African-American father and a Mexican-American mother, granting him dual nationality eligibility for the United States and Mexico.[7][2] The family's residence in Woodland, a small city approximately 20 miles northwest of Sacramento, provided a stable, suburban environment that supported Kimbrough's early years.[8][9] Kimbrough's father, Domonique "Dom" Kimbrough, is a former college football player who attended San Joaquin Delta College, where he met his wife. His mother, Jessica Cervantes, was also a college athlete, competing in basketball, which fostered a household deeply immersed in sports culture. This athletic heritage influenced the family's emphasis on physical activity and discipline, though they maintained a balanced approach without imposing professional expectations on their children.[10][3][11] Kimbrough's maternal grandfather, Roberto Cervantes, played a pivotal role in his introduction to soccer, serving as an early coach and source of inspiration through hands-on involvement in family recreational activities. The family includes younger siblings and his grandparents, creating a tight-knit support network that attended key milestones, such as Kimbrough's professional signing in 2023, underscoring their collective encouragement in a low-pressure setting.[11][9][12]Youth soccer development
Da'vian Kimbrough was introduced to soccer at age four by his grandfather, Roberto Cervantes, who encouraged an early focus on basic skills and enjoyment of the game.[11][10] His initial development took place through local clubs, including North Bay Elite FC in Solano County and Woodland Soccer Club in Yolo County, where he honed fundamental techniques such as dribbling and shooting under dedicated youth coaching.[1][13] In 2021, at the age of 11, Kimbrough joined the Sacramento Republic FC Academy, where he immediately played up one age group on the U-13 team as an under-11 player.[7][14] During his debut academy season that year, he demonstrated exceptional goal-scoring ability as a forward, tallying 27 goals in 31 matches and leading his team in scoring.[7][14][13] Kimbrough's progression through the academy from 2022 to 2023 built on this foundation, with sustained high performance that included multi-goal games and team-leading contributions, culminating in 61 goals over two seasons of MLS NEXT league play.[1] As part of the academy's high-potential training program, he regularly joined the U-15 team for matches against older opponents, enhancing his physical presence and tactical awareness.[1][3] This regimen emphasized poise under pressure, intuitive game reading, and versatility across forward roles, positioning him for a seamless transition toward professional opportunities.[1][14]Club career
Sacramento Republic FC Academy
Da'vian Kimbrough joined the Sacramento Republic FC Academy in 2021 at the age of 11, immediately impacting the U-12 team by playing up one age division and surpassing expectations for his age group.[7] In his inaugural season with the U-13 squad, he recorded 27 goals in 31 MLS Next appearances, leading the team offensively and helping secure a dominant record of 30 wins and 1 loss, which included a streak of 27 consecutive victories.[1] These performances established him as a standout talent early in his academy tenure. From 2022 to 2023, Kimbrough progressed to the U-14 team, where he maintained consistent scoring output with 34 goals across 50 MLS Next matches, contributing to the squad's first-place finish in the league with a 26-5-3 record and a goal differential of 148-22.[8] He also featured in select games for the U-15 side and engaged in advanced training components, such as tactical drills integrated with senior academy elements, as part of the club's high-potential development pathway.[7] Over his two full MLS Next seasons in the academy, Kimbrough tallied 61 goals in 81 appearances, underscoring his rapid evolution.[7] As the primary forward in the academy system, Kimbrough specialized in clinical finishing and intelligent off-the-ball movement, traits that powered his goal-scoring consistency.[2] Academy coaches praised his maturity and leadership on the pitch; Head Coach Mark Briggs noted that Kimbrough "has shown tremendous focus, commitment, and dedication… demonstrated his tremendous potential," while Academy Director Eder Quintanilla described him as "a special player who has thrived in difficult and challenging environments."[7] The academy's location in Sacramento, just a short drive from his family home in nearby Woodland, California, enabled Kimbrough to balance rigorous training with schooling without the need for relocation, facilitating a stable developmental environment.[2]Professional contract and debut
On August 8, 2023, Da'vian Kimbrough signed his first professional contract with Sacramento Republic FC, becoming the youngest professional athlete in U.S. team sports history at 13 years, 5 months, and 13 days old.[7][8] The deal was structured as a USL Championship homegrown player agreement for an academy product, with terms designed to support his ongoing education and limit his playing time to emphasize long-term development over immediate contributions.[7][15] This arrangement allowed Kimbrough to continue his schooling while integrating into first-team training sessions, reflecting the club's commitment to balancing his academic and athletic growth.[7] Kimbrough made his professional debut on October 1, 2023, substituting into a USL Championship match against Las Vegas Lights FC in the 87th minute with Sacramento leading 2-0.[16][17] At 13 years, 7 months, and 13 days old, he became the youngest player to appear in a competitive professional match in U.S. soccer history, helping secure the 2-0 victory without recording a goal or assist.[18][16] Throughout the 2023 season, Kimbrough's role was confined to substitute appearances as a forward, providing late-game energy and acclimating to the professional level's pace and physical demands without starting pressure.[17] He logged just one appearance with no goals, gaining valuable exposure to senior tactics and team dynamics to support his gradual progression.[2][19]2024–present seasons
In the 2024 USL Championship season, Da'vian Kimbrough made three substitute appearances for Sacramento Republic FC, accumulating limited minutes while earning 15 roster selections overall.[1] As a 14-year-old forward, he focused on integrating into the professional environment without recording goals or assists, contributing to the team's depth during a campaign that saw Sacramento finish fifth in the Western Conference with 49 points from 34 matches.[20] The club advanced to the playoffs, where Kimbrough remained part of the squad but did not feature in postseason action.[21] Entering the 2025 season at age 15, Kimbrough continued his development with two substitute appearances totaling 19 minutes, again without starts, goals, or assists as of November.[22] Playing primarily as a centre-forward, he emphasized building stamina and tactical awareness in Sacramento's system amid the physical rigors of senior competition.[2] The team achieved a strong second-place standing in the Western Conference with 48 points from 30 regular-season games, qualifying for the playoffs before elimination in the conference quarterfinals via penalty shootout against Orange County SC.[23][24] Kimbrough's role has centered on versatile forward duties, including link-up play, while managing growth to 1.80 meters and the demands of professional training alongside U.S. youth international commitments, such as a September call-up to the U-16 national team.[22][25] This balanced approach has supported his ongoing adaptation without overexposure at a young age.[1]International career
Mexico youth teams
Da'vian Kimbrough, born to a Mexican-American mother from the Cervantes family, became eligible for Mexico's national teams through his maternal heritage, leading to his initial selection for the youth squads in 2023.[3][26] Kimbrough participated in several training camps and friendlies with Mexico's U-15 and U-16 teams starting from July 2023.[1] As the primary #9 striker, Kimbrough showcased his finishing skills during the 2025 Concacaf Boys' U-15 Championship held in August 2025, where he scored six goals across the tournament.[2][27] In the final against the United States, he netted one goal in Mexico's 5-0 victory, securing the title for his team and earning the Golden Boot as the top scorer.[5][28] His standout performance at the championship elevated Kimbrough's profile within Mexican soccer circles, positioning him as a promising talent with potential pathways to future senior national team call-ups.[5][28]United States youth teams
Born in Woodland, California, Da'vian Kimbrough holds U.S. citizenship by birth, making him eligible to represent the United States in international soccer competitions, while also possessing Mexican nationality through his heritage.[1] His initial scouting for U.S. youth national teams stemmed from standout performances in the Sacramento Republic FC Academy, where he joined at age 11 and progressed rapidly through the youth ranks.[29] Kimbrough received his first call-up to a U.S. Youth National Team (YNT) roster for a U-15 training camp in October 2024. He earned a second U.S. YNT selection for the U-15 camp from March 30 to April 6, 2025, in West Palm Beach, Florida.[4] In September 2025, Kimbrough received his first call-up to the U.S. U-16 Boys' National Team for a domestic training camp in Fayetteville, Georgia, held from September 12 to 19.[25] The camp focused on player integration, tactical evaluation, and development, with Kimbrough listed as one of six forwards on the 24-player roster; he was the only participant from the USL Championship.[30] This selection followed his strong showings at the club level and marked a key step in his evaluation for higher youth levels. Kimbrough earned a subsequent call-up to the U.S. U-16 Boys' National Team for an international training camp in L'Albir, Spain, from October 29 to November 9, 2025.[6] The event included three friendly matches—against Sweden on November 3, Spain on November 6, and Qatar on November 8—aimed at assessing player versatility and preparing the squad for the 2027 FIFA U-17 World Cup qualifiers.[31] Again positioned as a forward, Kimbrough's inclusion highlighted his ongoing adaptation to U.S. youth tactics, building on the domestic camp's evaluations. During the friendlies, he made two appearances and scored one goal for the U.S. U-16 team.[2] Kimbrough's involvement with the U.S. youth teams in 2025, including these back-to-back U-16 camps, reflects his third U.S. national team call-up that year and underscores his commitment amid balancing professional club duties with Sacramento Republic FC and academic responsibilities.[32] His recent performances with Mexico's youth squads had also drawn increased attention from U.S. Soccer scouts.[32]Career statistics
Club statistics
Da'vian Kimbrough's professional club career with Sacramento Republic FC in the USL Championship has been limited to substitute appearances as of November 15, 2025.[1]| Season | Club | League | Appearances | Starts | Substitutions | Goals | Assists | Minutes played |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Sacramento Republic FC | USL Championship | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2024 | Sacramento Republic FC | USL Championship | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| 2025 | Sacramento Republic FC | USL Championship | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
International statistics
Da'vian Kimbrough, eligible for both Mexico and the United States through dual nationality, has represented youth teams from each nation in international competitions and training matches as of November 2025.[1]Mexico Youth International Statistics
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Football Federations Cup | Unknown | 4 | 1 |
| 2025 Concacaf U-15 Championship | 6 | 6 | 1 |
United States Youth International Statistics
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 U-16 International Friendlies | 2 | 1 | 0 |
