Duran Ferree signed as first official San Diego FC player
Credit: San Diego FC
This Wednesday, December 13, 2023, San Diego FC officially announced the signing of 17-year-old goalkeeper Duran Ferree to a four-year contract.
If the name seems familiar, it is because Ferree is a former San Diego Loyal player and a former member of the Loyal’s youth academy.
Ferree was the youngest signing in San Diego Loyal’s history and was also the first San Diego native to make the Loyal’s first team out of their youth academy. At 16 years old, the young shot-stopper made his pro debut in 2022 and has been climbing the ranks since then.
The San Diego native started three games in the Loyal’s 2023 season and also featured in the US Open Cup. Ferree recently played at the global stage at the U-17 FIFA World Cup and started for the United States against France in what was a 3-0 loss against Les Bleus.
Ferree will be just 18 years old in June of 2024 and will start the Inaugural San Diego FC 2025 season at 18 years old in Major League Soccer. San Diego FC front office including Mohamed Mansour have expressed continuously that the team will go after local talent. They have definitely stuck right to that plan, with San Diego’s first signing being Duran Ferree, who inclusively has the link to the San Diego Loyal.
Rooted in San Diego. Duran Ferree is Chrome & Azul.
San Diego FC signs San Diego native and U.S. youth national goalkeeper Duran Ferree to a four-year contract.
🔗https://t.co/XlVe2NnOWE pic.twitter.com/HqdhiLNvWU
— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) December 13, 2023
“We are excited to have Duran join San Diego FC as a locally developed young talent,” said San Diego FC CEO Tom Penn.
Duran Ferree also spoke on what it means to sign with San Diego FC. “I’m honored to sign with my new hometown club,” said Ferree. “To be part of San Diego soccer history and play for my hometown city is beyond my wildest dreams. This is a testament to all the hard work I’ve put in to get here and is everything I’ve been working towards. I am eager to contribute to the growth and success of the club, and I am excited about the journey ahead with my future teammates and the incredible fans in San Diego.”
San Diego FC is just starting to build its team with no manager in place just yet, as more signings are expected to be announced in the coming months. Ferree is expected to go out on loan as soon as possible, with San Diego FC not beginning play until 2025.
Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.