Caden Clark, third Barça Academy player in MLS

Last Saturday, October 10, was not an ordinary day in the life of Caden Clark, a footballer who trained for three years at the Barça Residency Academy Arizona. In the morning, he signed his first contract as a professional, and hours later, he made his first team debut as a starter with the New York Red Bulls. To top it off, he scored the goal that would give his team the win against Atlanta United (1-0). 

Caden Clark, the new kid on the block in MLS, and who turns 18 next May, was a member of the Barça Residency Academy Arizona for three years, from 14 to 17, until signing for the New York Red Bulls this year. In 2019, he even completed two weeks of training at La Masia.

In addition, he was part of the Barça Residency Academy U17 team that finished third in the 2017/18 season in the most important league in the United States, the Development Academy.

Caden Clark, the third to move from Barça Academy to MLS

The milestone reached by Caden Clark isn't new. Two more footballers have already made their debuts in MLS after graduating from the Barça Residency Academy Arizona. Bryce Duke (now a Los Angeles FC player) and Julian Araujo (Los Angeles Galaxy) are also proud Americans.

The Barça Residency Academy Arizona is only one of FC Barcelona’s 11 academies throughout the United States and is also the only one, along with La Masia, that is residential. Worldwide, FC Barcelona has a total of 46 Barça Academies.