SEASIDE, Calif. – Monterey Bay FC announced on Friday the club had signed goalkeeper Fernando Delgado to a multi-year contract and acquired midfielder Facundo Canete via transfer from Carolina Core FC of MLS NEXT Pro. The transactions are pending league and federation approval.

Delgado joins Monterey Bay having most recently competed for Birmingham Legion FC, where he made 11 appearances in the USL Championship over the past campaign, recording two shutouts. The 19-year-old has previously represented the Mexican Youth National Team on multiple occasions and helped El Tri win the 2023 Concacaf U-17 Championship.

“I’m very excited to be joining Monterey Bay next season,” said Delgado. “After speaking with [Monterey Bay Chairman and Chief Soccer Officer] Oliver [Wyss] and all of the coaching staff, it was a no-brainer really. We really enjoy how the club is being run and the project that the club is seeing through right now. As I prepare for the next Olympic cycle with the Mexican National Team, my family, agents, and I all believe that going to Monterey Bay is the best fit for me.” 

Delgado made history in 2021 as the youngest goalkeeper to ever appear in a USL Championship match when he debuted for Real Monarchs SLC at just 15 years old. Internationally, Delgado was also selected for Mexico at the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Indonesia after the side’s Concacaf title earlier in the year.

“Fernando is a young goalkeeper who’s come through the Salt Lake Academy, and he’s already taken an important step in his development by transitioning into the USL Championship with Birmingham Legion FC,” said Monterey Bay FC Head Coach Jordan Stewart. “What really stands out to us is his ability to play with his feet, which is extremely important for the way we want to play and build out of the back. On top of that, he shows a strong presence and confidence in commanding his goal, which speaks to his maturity and upside. He will continue to grow as a player in our environment & I look forward to that process.”

Canete joins Monterey Bay after spending the previous two seasons with Carolina Core FC in MLS NEXT Pro. While in Carolina, Canete started all 53 of his appearances for the club and tallied 20 goals and 12 assists in 4,557 minutes. Overall, he recorded 43 shots on target and maintained an 84% passing accuracy in his tenure with Core FC.

“I’m happy to welcome Facundo to our club,” said Stewart. “From the first time you watch him his energy and work ethic jump off the page. He competes every minute of every game and brings an edge that raises the level of the group. He’s a player who’s willing to do the hard work for the team, both with and without the ball, and that mentality is a big part of who we want to be.

“With the talent he has, we’re hopeful he can bring the same type of goal contributions he showed in MLS NEXT Pro and continue to grow within our environment. I believe he has the tools to make a real impact for us, and I’m looking forward to seeing him push himself and our team forward.”