Philadelphia Union Sign First Home Grown Player And He's Only 15

The Philadelphia Union surprised its fans by signing 15-year-old Zach Pfeffer as its first ever homegrown player.

Pfeffer's signing wasn't a surprise because of his age but rather because Union fans and supporters were expecting any announcement to be the confirmation of the signing of a different player - Faryd Mondragon. Mondragon is expected to become the Union's first designated player signing as the 38-year-old goalkeeper is set to have his contract with FC Koln of the Bundesliga - the German top league - terminated on Dec. 31. Instead fans were greeted at 11am with the announcement that Pfeffer was an official member of the Union.

At 15 years old (he will turn 16 on Jan. 6), Pfeffer becomes the youngest Philadelphia-area athlete to sign a professional contract since Bobby Convey was drafted (SuperDraft) and signed by DC United in 2000.

For more on Pfeffer, Mondragon and the Union join the Brotherly Game.