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Going Pro at 13
Courtesy Sacramento Republic FC
Da’vian Kimbrough played his first professional soccer game in October.
In October, Da’vian Kimbrough, a 13-year-old from Woodland, California, stepped out onto the soccer field, making his debut as the youngest-ever professional athlete in American team sports. He’s been playing soccer since he was 4 years old and his ball skills began attracting serious attention over the last two years, during which he scored a total of 61 goals for various youth teams. This summer, he went pro by signing with Sacramento Republic FC. The team says it will ease him into competition as he develops and grows. For now, he’ll be able to stay close to his family while training with professional athletes and continuing his studies. Although some experts worry about the pressure on teens who turn pro, Sacramento officials insist that Da’vian will be allowed to go at his own pace. And at the moment, Da’vian is just trying to enjoy his new role. “At first, I was a little nervous, but I feel like once I stepped on, it was more exciting than anything,” he told Good Morning America about his debut. “I tried to silence the noise and just play soccer.”