Sacramento Republic FC's Da'vian Kimbrough enters the game to become the youngest player in the USL Championship's history aged 13 years, 7 months and 13 days old. | Photo courtesy Sacramento Republic FC
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sacramento Republic FC made history on Sunday evening as Da’vian Kimbrough became the youngest player to appear in a USL Championship contest as the side hosted Las Vegas Lights FC at Heart Health Park.
Kimbrough came on as an 87th-minute substitute aged 13 years, 7 months and 13 days as Republic FC closed out a 2-0 victory against Lights FC. His appearance broke the previous record held by Axel Kei of Real Monarchs SLC, who made his USL Championship debut aged 13 months, 9 months, and 9 days on October 8, 2021 against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.
— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) October 2, 2023
13-year-old Da'vian Kimbrough steps on the pitch to make his professional debut for @SacRepublicFC! pic.twitter.com/ElVrbMzsim
Historic. Da’vian Kimbrough makes his professional debut at 13 years, 7 months, 13 days with his hometown club. pic.twitter.com/SNjsxQPlA5
— x - Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) October 2, 2023
A member of Republic FC’s development academy, Kimbrough signed professional terms with the club earlier this summer as he became the professional athlete in American team sports history aged 13 years, 5 months, 13 days old.