The New York Cosmos youth movement continues.
On the week of Haji Wright’s first professional start with the club, the Cosmos have dipped back into the U.S. Men’s National Team youth pool, signing versatile U-17 youth international Alexis Velela.
“I’m very happy about joining the New York Cosmos,” said Velela in a club statement. “I spent a week with the team on trial last month and felt really comfortable with the environment. I feel this is where I can continue to develop as a player.
“Being able to train with world-class stars such as Raúl and Senna will definitely help me to become a complete soccer player.”
Velela, 17, is a San Diego, California native who is listed as a defender by the U.S. prospect focused TopDrawerSoccer.com. However, a Cosmos press release suggests the San Diego Surf product can play across the backline and central midfield. He started every match for the U.S. U-17 team in the 2015 CONCACAF U-17 Championship and also previously appeared in tournaments such as the 2013 Delle Nazioni in Italy and Copa Mexico de Naciones in Mexico.
“Alexis is an exciting prospect with great potential,” said Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese. “He is a young player with strong technical qualities and is capable of playing in multiple positions. We are delighted to have signed him.”
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