Barca Residency Academy standouts Graham Ford, Isaiah Kaakoush, and Dylan Thomas have been selected to train at FC Barcelona’s famed youth academy, La Masia, from April 8 to 18 in Barcelona, Spain. This training stint is part of the academy’s unique partnership with the club, which provides exclusive trial and training opportunities for Barca Residency Academy prospects aimed at identifying and developing the club’s next generation of future stars.
Graham Ford, a promising 14-year-old talent, is currently making waves in his debut season at Barca Residency Academy, showcasing his prowess with the Academy’s U-15 MLS Next team. Remarkably, this will be Ford’s second journey to Barcelona this year, following an invitation to the Barca Academy Training Camp that took place in January.
Isaiah Kaakoush, at just 16-years-old, has rapidly emerged as a top talent during his impressive three seasons at Barca Residency Academy. He has competed with the Academy’s U-15 through U-19 teams, at times playing up four age groups. His impressive journey has seen him garner national team call-ups, earn MLS Next League accolades, and even seize training opportunities at the professional level. Poised for his third training stint at Barcelona, Kaakoush’s return to La Masia further solidifies his status as a rising star.
Dylan Thomas, another 16-year-old top talent at Barca Residency Academy, is set to embark on his second training stint at La Masia. Currently, in his third season at Barca Residency Academy, Thomas is ascending the ranks, having earned national team call-ups from both the United States and Jamaica National Teams with his unique skill on the pitch.
During the two-week training period, the Barca Residency Academy trio will train, compete in matches, and immerse themselves in the environment and system that produced global soccer icons Messi, Iniesta, Pedri, and Gavi just to highlight a few.
This stint not only offers them an unparalleled opportunity to train and compete at the pinnacle of youth soccer but also allows the trio to tread the path previously walked by Barca Residency Academy alumnus Julian Araujo, who signed with FC Barcelona in 2023. They’ll also follow in the footsteps of other Bara Residency Academy professional alumni Matthew Hoppe, Caden Clark, Brooklyn Raines, Leo Orejarena, and Sean Petrie, who were selected for training opportunities at La Masia during their time at the Academy.
