Connor Lade is the latest New York Red Bulls homegrown academy player to sign with the senior squad.
The 22-year old left-back initially joined the Red Bulls in 2007 but has also been playing with St John's Red Storm in the NCAA Division 1.
Lade was overjoyed to have signed a professional contract with New York and was full of gratitude to the academy for making it possible.
"I joined the (Red Bulls academy) the year before I got into college, so late 2007, 2008; and I was really fortunate that they'd take me on at the academy. It was a good place to play, a very professional environment,'' Lade told the NY Post.
"Now that I did sign with the first team, it's a surreal thing.
"It was always a goal of mine, a dream; but now that it's a reality, it's really special, and I feel very fortunate they're giving me a shot. A lot of that's attributed to the academy and the opportunity they give you."
