Ntl u17 player Michael Seaton signs for MLS outfit DC United
National under 17 player Michael Seaton has signed a two year deal with MLS team DC United after coming through the club’s academy system.
The forward who hails from Spanish Town appeared in nine academy games including seven starts while tallying three goals.
The 16 year old who played in the CFU Under 17 World Cup qualifying competition last year was the leading scorer for the DC United under 15 pre academy team with 12 goals.
He was the co-leading scorer with 14 goals for the under 16’s guiding the team to a final eight finish in the playoffs.
Seaton impressed in United’s last reserve league match of the 2012 campaign going the full 90 minutes against the Columbus Crew on October 21.
He has dual citizenship which makes him eligible to represent Jamaica or the United States when he becomes a senior.
Seaton will withdraw from Central High School, where he is a junior, and work with a home schooling tutor arranged by United (most likely the same one who taught Bobby Convey and Santino Quaranta when they signed with United at that age). Under the arrangement, Seaton will be able to train with the full squad each morning and study in the afternoon.
He is scheduled to report to training camp later this week and accompany the team to both Bradenton, Fla., next week and Orlando next month.
“He matured last year, made real strides and rose to the challenges,” General Manager Dave Kasper said in a telephone interview. “It’s now time for a pro-environment.”
Once the season starts, Seaton will practice each day and play in reserve matches. “We’ll take it slowly with him,” Kasper said, “but at some point, we ‘ll want to get him more than reserve games.”
Short-term loans to the lower-division clubs are possible, Kasper said, but because of Seaton’s age, he will not go on a season-long stay like Conor Shanosky, 21, did last year with the NASL’s Fort Lauderdale Strikers. He could also continue playing academy matches.
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