CARY, NC (April 6, 2022) – North Carolina FC has signed eight players from the NCFC Academy to academy contracts, the club announced today. Haroun Conteh, Drew Kerr, Marvin Mariche, John McDowell, Jake Shannon, Samuel Terranova, Rohit Thakur, and Caden Tolentino will be available to train and play in first-team matches while maintaining their college eligibility.

“This is becoming such a special and significant day for our club and these deserving players each year,” said Head Coach John Bradford. “I am proud of the top developmental pathway that we are able to provide to multiple deserving NCFC Academy players with our professional team.  All eight of these players have worked extremely hard and have earned these opportunities to be members of North Carolina FC men’s team in 2022. I’m excited to see them contribute to our team’s success this year and to accelerate their individual development.”

Haroun Conteh, a Phoenix, AZ native, signs an academy contract in his first year with the NCFC Academy. The defender is also the first participant in the NCFC Youth Homestay Program to sign an amateur contract with the first team, joining NCFC from Real Salt Lake Academy.

“I am very grateful for this opportunity,” Conteh said. “It means a lot to have the club believe in me this much. I am excited to be a part of this club, and I can’t wait to accomplish many more things here.”

Midfielder Drew Kerr has signed an academy contract for the second year in a row, having signed an amateur contract with the first team in 2021. Kerr has spent six years in the NCFC Academy and is committed to play at Duke University. The 17-year-old made his professional debut with NCFC last season in a match against Toronto FC II. Kerr also appeared in NCFC’s 2022 season opener, playing 27 minutes against Tormenta FC last weekend.

“I’m very excited for this opportunity to play at the highest level and to continue my development in the professional environment,” Kerr said. “I look forward to learning each and every day under this great staff and talented players.”

Likewise signing an amatuer contract for the second time, Marvin Mariche made his professional debut with the first team during the 2021 season and will return for 2022. In 2018, Mariche was called up to the U15 US Youth National Team camp, bringing his YNT experience to the first team. The forward has played for the NCFC Academy for four years.

“Onto year two,” Mariche said. “I can only thank God and everyone who has helped me get to this point, I am very grateful for this opportunity. Thank you, NCFC.”

Midfielder John McDowell signs an amateur contract for the first time this season. Prior to joining the first team, the Chapel Hill native has been a part of the NCFC Academy for 6 years, captaining the U-13, U-14, U-16, and U-19 academy teams and receiving the Hamilton

Sportsmanship Award in 2017 and 2021. McDowell is committed to play collegiately at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

“I am very happy and excited to be a part of the North Carolina FC's first team,” McDowell said. “I look forward to making an impact and helping the team be successful."

Midfielder Jake Shannon has also signed an amateur contract with NCFC, coming on the heels of his first year in the NCFC Academy and his fifth year with NCFC Youth. The Apex native is committed to play collegiately at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, and was previously named to the 2020/2021 ECNL All Conference Mid-Atlantic First Team.

“Five years ago I was on the fifth team at NCFC, and today I celebrated signing an academy contract with the pro team,” Shannon said. “I hope younger players can hear my story and feel encouraged to keep working hard and to follow their dreams. I want to thank the club for this opportunity and I want to thank my coaches, teammates, and family for their ongoing support.”

Goalkeeper Sam Terranova will play alongside fellow NCFC Academy product Nicholas Holliday and NCFC U-23 alumni Will Pulisic this season. The Fayetteville native has been a member of the NCFC Academy for six years and recently committed to play collegiately at NC State University, and signs with the first team for the second time.

“I am so excited to sign with the first team again this year,” Terranova said. “This has been my club since I was 12, and I am proud to say I have been able to play in goal for NCFC at every level including USDDA, ECNL, USL Academy, and USL League Two. I am working every day to achieve my goal of making my USL League One debut for the club.”

Forward Rohit Thakur also signs his second academy contract with NCFC after four years as a member of the NCFC Academy. Thakur made his professional debut with the club last season, appearing in a match against New England Revolution II. The Morrisville, NC native is committed to play collegiately at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

“After being at the club and coming through the academy system, to be able to sign and have this opportunity for the second year is special,” Thakur said. “I’ve been able to learn so much in the first team environment and become a much more confident player.”

Caden Tolentino joins the first team roster for the second time, having also signed an academy contract with NCFC in 2021. The midfielder made his professional debut in a match against the Chattanooga Red Wolves last season, and recently appeared in a match against Tormenta FC this season. Tolentino is committed to play collegiately at NC State University.

“I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity to sign an academy contract,” Tolentino said. “I would like to thank my family, friends, and all those that have helped me in this journey. I would especially like to thank the coaching staff for believing in me, trusting in me, and most of all helping me get to this point. Being in with the pro team is a true joy, while still being a great learning setting. Even with it being my second year, I am being pushed to my limits. The pro guys have been mentors to me, especially Pecka, Max, and Jordan, helping me to see the game in a different light. I feel something special about this team and am extremely excited to see what the future holds.”