May 9, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; General view of the game ball before the start of the first half between the San Jose Earthquakes and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC at PayPal Park. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images Sporting Kansas City announced the signing Monday of 15-year-old defenseman Luca Antongirolami.
The academy product signed a deal with the Sporting KC first team and with MLS NEXT Pro affiliate Sporting KC II.
Antongirolami will rejoin SKC II immediately before elevating to the MLS squad as a homegrown player ahead of the 2027-28 season. His MLS deal runs through 2029-30 with club options for 2030-31 and 2031-32.
Born & built in KC. Staying in KC. ??
We’ve signed 15-year-old defender Luca Antongirolami to a contract with @SportingKCII and the First Team. pic.twitter.com/orFMiiJeJP
— Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) July 6, 2026
“We are delighted that Luca and his family have made the decision to continue his development and begin his professional career with Sporting KC,” said David Lee, president of soccer operations and general manager. “Luca impressed during preseason and has already played with SKC II this season while being a regular member of the U.S. Youth National Teams, showing a high level of quality for a player his age. He is a left-footed central defender who shows excellent tactical and technical understanding and he is a player we believe has extremely high potential.”
Antongirolami, a Kansas City native, joined the Sporting KC Academy at age 10 in 2021.
He made his SKC II debut on Feb. 28, becoming the second-youngest player in that club’s history. He has appeared in eight matches (six starts) this season and was selected to appear in the MLS NEXT All-Star Game on July 27 in Matthews, N.C.
–Field Level Media
