Union Academy midfielder Jack McGlynn signs pro contract with Union II

In less than eight months, 16-year-old midfielder Jack McGlynn has gone from Philadelphia Union Academy newcomer to pro, inking a USL deal with Philadelphia Union II this week.

The Middle Village, N.Y. native and U.S. youth international was recruited to the academy from BW Gottschee Academy in New York last summer and didn’t take long to make his presence felt. He ended up scoring seven goals in the fall for the Union U17s in Development Academy play and was part of the Union II group that went to Florida for preseason last month.

“Jack entered preseason with Union II and impressed the technical staff with his development and skill,” Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner said in a news release. “We’re excited to welcome him to the team (and) see what his contributions bring to the midfield.”

His signing gives the Union II the minimum 12 players under pro USL contracts required to meet roster compliance ahead of the season opener on Saturday at home against Loudoun United.

McGlynn is also another feather in the cap for the academy’s recruitment program, which has been aggressively going after players both inside and outside of other MLS teams homegrown territories.

Of the six players now under contract with Union II that played in the Union Academy all but one (Zach Zandi) were recruited to join the academy from outside the area: Ben Ofeimu (Michigan), Issa Rayyan (Michigan), Selmir Miscic (Vermont), Shanyder Borgelin (Florida) and Jack McGlynn (New York). Recent first team homegrown signings Jack de Vries (Virginia) and Cole Turner (Maryland) were also initially recruited from outside the area to join the academy.

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