EL PASO, Texas – El Paso Locomotive FC announced on Monday the club had signed United States youth international Luis Moreno ahead of the 2023 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

A 16-year-old central midfielder, Moreno becomes the youngest professional signing in Locomotive FC’s history, surpassing the mark set by 17-year-old Diego Abarca earlier this offseason has he turned pro with the club out of the Locomotive FC Academy. The move continues to demonstrate El Paso’s commitment to developing up and coming youth players, having previously helped the development of current United States U-20 international and Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna.

“We are happy to bring a player of Moreno’s ability and potential to El Paso,” said Locomotive FC Head Coach and Technical Director Brian Clarhaut. “It is evident that he is a highly talented young player, and we look forward to nurturing and developing his game.” 

Internationally, Moreno was called up last March to represent the United States U-17s for high-level international matches against South American giants, Argentina and Uruguay. He comes to El Paso from the Houston Dynamo Academy, where he played a key role for the club’s U-17 team that posted a 3-2-1 record last season and also spent time training with both the Dynamo First and Second team.