Three-year Barca Residency Academy standout defender Isaiah Kaakoush has signed his first professional contract with North Texas SC, MLS Next Pro team of FC Dallas.
“I’m super excited for the opportunity to sign my first professional contract and even better than it is with a team like North Texas,” said sixteen-year-old Kaakoush. “I’m looking forward to the high level of play in games and training and continuing to grow in a professional environment.”
A native of Chandler, Arizona, Kaakoush joined Barca Residency Academy from Real Salt Lake-Arizona ahead of the 2021-22 season. In three seasons, Kaakoush registered over 80 appearances and netted 20 goals while representing Barca’s U-15 through U-19 teams. Impressively, at just 15, he played up four age groups and led Barca’s U-19 squad with great poise and maturity despite his youth as they competed in the 2023 Dallas Cup Super Group and the 2023 MLS Next Playoffs.
Kaakoush’s exceptional talent has led to national team call-ups, three invitations to trial and train at FC Barcelona’s La Masia, MLS Next League accolades, and professional opportunities with 2023 USL Championship title winners Phoenix Rising SC.
“The [Barca Residency Academy] environment has prepared me for the next step in my career, and they have given me many amazing opportunities,” Kaakoush added. “Barca has played a huge role in the way I am as a player. They have pushed me to be the best player that I can be. I feel blessed to have been apart of this amazing academy for three years.”
John Gall, Head Coach of North Texas SC, expressed enthusiasm about Kaakoush’s arrival. “We’re looking forward to bringing Isaiah [Kaakoush] into our program. He is a top young talent that likes to play controlled, responsible football. We are all about developing players with a winning mentality and this is another example of our club identifying a player with a high ceiling. Isaiah is a determined kid that will thrive in our environment.”
Kaakoush follows in the footsteps of former teammate Leonardo Orejarena, becoming the second player from Barca Residency Academy to join North Texas SC.
‘We are excited for Isaiah to take the next step in his career as he enters into the professional world of soccer,” commented Barca Residency Academy Director, Ged Quinn. “He has been with us now for the past three seasons and has consistently played with and against older players. He has thrived in our environment, and it has been great to see him develop both on and off the field. We look forward to seeing his future growth in the game as he joins the North Texas MLS Next Pro and FC Dallas family, and we could not be more proud of him.”
About North Texas SC:
North Texas SC is a professional soccer team based in Frisco, Texas, and competes in MLS Next Pro. As the official affiliate of FC Dallas, North Texas SC is dedicated to developing young talent and preparing them for the highest levels of competition.
Want to know more about Barca Residency Academy? Want to sign a professional contract, earn national team call-ups, professional trials, and college exposure? Contact us today to register for a tryout camp!
