CARSON, Calif. (Friday, July 5, 2013) – Chivas USA announced today the signing of Southern California player Caleb Calvert as a Homegrown Player. The 16-year-old forward, who has already suited up for the first team in several Reserve League matches, will be eligible for selection in Chivas USA’s upcoming visit to Montreal on Sunday, July 7 at 4 pm (PT). Per Major League Soccer and team policy, details of the contract will not be disclosed.

”Caleb Calvert is a very talented player whose development in the Academy we’ve been following for a long time,” explained Director of Soccer Francisco Palencia. “He’s a player with very good movement in the entire field and a great finisher inside the box. I believe he has in him all the requirements we need in a forward at Chivas USA.
“The Academy is one of our priorities at Chivas USA so it means a lot to us to have players come out and develop within our system. Signing players from our Academy helps us a lot as they know the system we are implementing from our Youth Teams all the way through the First Team,” concluded Palencia.

A true center forward, Calvert has been a part of Chivas USA’s Youth Academy for over two years, and has now become the youngest player to sign a professional contract in club history at 16 years, 8 months and 10 days.

Before Calvert, current Chivas USA midfielder Marco Delgado, who just earned two starts in the last two games for the Goats, was the youngest player to sign a professional contract at 16 years, 10 months and 17 days.

In the 2012/2013 U.S Soccer Development Academy Regular Season, ‘Rooney’, as he is most known among his teammates, became the leading goal scorer in the nation with 22, turning into a vital member of both U15/16 and U17/18 teams with the Red-and-White.

“I’m beyond thrilled. I never thought this moment will come this soon and this fast but I’m living my dream right now, and it’s the most incredible feeling anyone can have,” said Calvert. “Hopefully I get adjusted and comfortable soon and from there I can start playing my game and doing what I do best, scoring goals.

“I feel honored to have Coach Real as my coach. It’s obviously a very big deal and now I’m lucky enough to play under him. I think only good can come from it, so I’ll do the best I can, and work hard every single day to give everything I have for this team,” concluded the young signing.

On June 2, the finisher joined Chivas USA’s Reserve Team in their match-up against the Seattle Sounders FC Reserves. Calvert played the entire 90 minutes with the Red-and-White and notched his first goal with the Reserves in Chivas USA’s 2-1 win over fellow Western Conference Reserve team.

“Our Youth Development Program is extremely happy for Caleb to step up and move to the next level,” stated Chivas USA’s Youth Academy Director Sacha van der Most. “I think it’s well deserved as he has proved himself at the U16’s and U18’s levels this whole year and also by stepping up in the Reserve League games.”

Chivas USA earned their second consecutive draw, this time against FC Dallas this Thursday, July 4 as part of MLS Week 18 action. The game marked the beginning of a 10-day road trip, that will go on with the Red-and-White’s visit to Montreal Impact in at Stade Saputo on Sunday, July 7, followed by the Philadelphia Union on Friday, July 12 at PPL Park. For all the latest First Team and Academy news, follow us on Twitter: @cdchivasusa.

Transaction: Chivas USA acquire forward Caleb Calvert as Homegrown player on July 2, 2013.