BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Birmingham Legion FC announced on Tuesday the club had signed 15-year-old United States Youth National Team defender Ramiz Hamouda to his first professional contract. One of the Generation Adidas Cup U15 Group Stage Best XI last summer with Sporting Kansas City Academy, Hamouda will join Legion FC’s roster this preseason pending league and federation approval.

“We’re excited to sign Ramiz to a professional contract with Legion FC,” said President and General Manager Jay Heaps. “Ramiz is a young player with great potential and joins us having already been a notable player for the U.S. Youth National Team program as it won a Concacaf title last year.”

Hamouda helped guide the U.S. Under-15 Men's Youth National Team to the 2023 Concacaf Boys’ U-15 League A Championship Title last August where the side defeated Mexico 4-2 in the final at Estadio Olimpico Felix Sanchez Stadium in Santo Domingo of the Dominican Republic. Hamouda started in four of the six games, including the final against Mexico.

Hamouda previously joined Sporting Kansas City Academy in 2020, making his way through the U-15 ranks in 2022. He attended his first USYNT training camp in January 2023.

“I’m thrilled to sign my first professional contract with Birmingham Legion FC,” said Hamouda. “I am excited to join the team and get to work.”

Hamouda follows the pathway of new Legion FC teammate Matthew Corcoran, who last year had a breakout season for Birmingham as he earned a berth in the United States U-17 squad for the FIFA Men’s U-17 World Cup last November. Corcoran was 16 years old when he joined Legion FC ahead of the 2022 season.

“Birmingham Legion FC has shown its willingness to bring in and develop high-level young talent, which has made it an attractive destination for players aiming to compete in First Team football and advance their careers,” said USL Head of Global Football Development & Sporting Director Oliver Wyss. “Ramiz Hamouda’s signing with the club is another example of the opportunity available for top young players in the USL Championship to elevate their individual pathway.”