Nashville SC Signs Adem Sipić As First-Ever Homegrown Professional In Club History

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L-R: Nashville SC CEO Ian Ayre, Adem Sipić, club GM Mike Jacobs and majority owner John Ingram. Photo: Courtesy of Nashville SC

In another historic moment, Nashville Soccer Club announced the signing of Academy product Adem Sipić, as Nashville SC’s first Homegrown player. Sipić will become eligible to compete as a Boy in Gold in Major League Soccer in the 2024 season through 2027, with a club option for 2028.

As part of the Homegrown Player program, Sipić becomes the first player in club history to complete the pathway to the pros for Nashville SC by developing through the club’s Academy onto Huntsville City Football Club, the club’s MLS NEXT Pro affiliate, and finally by signing a First Team contract.

“It was really just work ethic and coming into training every day with a good attitude and knowing you have a job to do,” said Sipić. “Just always working hard has been the biggest thing with me. I came into training every day with a positive mindset wanting to get better and help myself and also the people around me. I think the biggest thing would be just work ethic.”

Adem Sipić with Huntsville FC. Photo: Courtesy of Huntsville FC

The 17-year-old forward from Bowling Green, Ky. arrived at The Gold Mine, Nashville SC’s Academy, in 2020 as a U-15 player and quickly moved onto the U-17’s with whom he began playing as competition resumed in 2021, following the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

In his first MLS NEXT season, Sipić appeared in 15 matches and scored two goals. His development and improvement became noticeable in the 2022/23 season, as he helped propel Nashville SC’s U-17’s through the GA Cup qualifiers and ultimately to the 2023 GA Cup in Florida where he registered two goals. As the captain of the U-17’s, Sipić appeared in 14 matches scoring 16 goals throughout the season.

“Being professional is less about how much money you make and more about how you conduct your business,” said NSC General Manager Mike Jacobs. “Knowing that please trust me when I tell you Adem Sipić has been a professional long before we sign his first contract. As number of people that really need to get a pat in the back for making this all reality. John Ingram’s vision not only bring them less club to Nashville but it’s also want to see youth academy grown on his own Currey Ingram Academy campus that would attract some of the finest youth soccer players United States. We now have players in our Academy not only from the state of Tennessee, but also players from California, Michigan, Washington D.C. and Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Adem Sipić and Mike Jacobs. Photo: Courtesy of Nashville SC

In addition to his performances at The Gold Mine, the young striker was called up several times to train with Nashville SC’s First Team during the club’s 2023 preseason and season, as he also moved up to compete with Huntsville City FC in the MLS NEXT Pro. Sipić made his Huntsville City FC debut in the club’s inaugural match against Crown Legacy on Mar. 26, as a second half sub, and recorded the shootout-winning kick from the spot in the sixth round.

In total, Sipić has appeared in six matches for HCFC. Just this past Sunday, June 11, the striker scored his first professional goal during the run of play in his first start in a 4-2 victory over St. Louis CITY2 at the Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium.

“Adem’s work rate is incredible, and it’s what has him here today, I think, his football ability, we will all see and everyone will see what type of player that he is,” said Kevin Flanagan, Nashville SC Academy Director. “The type of player that can be a big part of his character is his competitive character. He wants to win. He’s a super teammate. He wants to help his team win games. But I’d say we’re the biggest thing that will help him continue in his career is his ability to learn, he wants to learn. He comes with a mindset of you know, I’m here to learn to be working with a staff like Gary [Smith] and his team, he will only continue to grow, learn and develop as a player because of that mentality and that character that he brings.”

Adem Sipić with Nashville SC Academy. Photo: Courtesy of Nashville SC

The Homegrown Player Rule was launched in 2008 to allow clubs to sign local players from their own academies to their First Team rosters. Because of this rule, clubs can sign an unlimited amount of academy players to a first-team contract on any given year. Any Homegrown Player must have resided in the club’s home territory and participated in its youth development system for at least one year, as well as meeting other unspecified league requirements.

Sipić, who will continue to compete with Huntsville City FC in the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro season, will join the Boys in Blue when they host Inter Miami CF II at 6 p.m. CT on Sunday, June 18.

Steven Boero
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