[MLS] Philadelphia Union signed 15-year-old Zach Pfeffer to a professional contract as the club’s first homegrown player.

Under the NCAA's new rules allowing amateur players to compete on pro teams and keep their eligibility if they aren't paid, Pfeffer played for Philadelphia in a friendly against Chivas last summer.

Pfeffer, who played for FC Delco, recently returned from a two-week training with German Bundesliga TSG Hoffenheim. He was a member of Philadelphia’s U-17 squad that competed in the MLS U-17 SUM Cup in Houston in July and has played on the U.S. under-15

Born Jan. 6, 1995, Pfeffer is the fourth youngest player ever to sign an MLS contract, behind Freddy Adu, Fuad Ibrahim and recently signed New England Revolution homegrown player Diego Fagundez.