SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sacramento Republic FC center back Chibi Ukaegbu has been invited to the United States U-17 Men’s Youth National Team domestic training camp being held this week in West Palm Beach, Fla.

The invitation marks Ukaegbu’s first invitation to a national team camp, and the first for a Republic FC player in 2024. Ukaegbu is the only player representing a USL Championship club on the 24-player roster.

“Chibi continues to impress every single day and has been a bright spot throughout preseason,” said Republic FC President and General Manager Todd Dunivant. “We’re excited to see how he responds to the challenge and look forward to his continued development.”

A native of Roseville, Calif., Ukaegby signed his first professional contract with the club in November, becoming one of four homegrown professional players on the club’s current First Team roster. He scored his first goal with the club’s First Team in Republic FC’s final game of the preseason against Monterey Bay F.C., which also marked the ninth goal by a homegrown player in preseason camp.

Ukaegbu had previously joined the club’s youth development academy in 2021 at age 14 and has appeared in more than 60 matches for the club’s youth sides. Throughout Republic FC’s 2023 USL Championship season, he earned opportunities to train with the club’s First Team, including action in preseason friendlies against other professional clubs.