STANFORD, Calif. - Zach Ryan is signing a Homegrown Player Contract with the New York Red Bulls, the team announced on Thursday. The fifth-year senior will rejoin the New York Red Bulls after departing their academy in 2017 to play for Stanford.
The Homegrown Player Rule allows Major League Soccer teams to sign local players from their own development academies directly to MLS first team rosters.
"A huge congrats to Zach," said the Knowles Family Director of Men's Soccer Jeremy Gunn. "He had an amazing career starting from a humble beginning to being the Pac-12 Player of the Year and team captain. He will be remembered for his incredible goals and boundless energy. I think Zach's teammates would recognize him for his selfless attitude and incredible positivity as both a player and a person. We wish him the best of luck in his exciting next chapter."
Ryan had an efficient senior season on The Farm, which helped him make his way into the Stanford record book. The Chatham, New Jersey native held the joint-lead in goals this past season with five and was second in points with 15, which helped him finish ninth all-time in goals with 31 and eighth all-time in points with 75.
During his career, Ryan reached the pinnacle of NCAA men's soccer as part of the championship-winning 2017 team. He earned significant individual honors as well, being named the Pac-12 Player of the Year and a MAC Hermann Trophy Semi-Finalist in 2020.
The striker also won three Pac-12 Championships and culminated the 2021 season with a CoSIDA Academic All-American First Team selection. A four-time All-Pac-12 selection, Ryan will look to build on his Stanford success in the MLS alongside fellow Homgrown signee Will Richmond and draft pick Ousseni Bouda, who will both be playing for the San Jose Earthquakes.