Curtis Ofori (born November 20, 2005) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a left-back for Major League Soccer club New York Red Bulls.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Curtis Ofori | ||
| Date of birth | November 20, 2005 | ||
| Place of birth | Hopewell Junction, New York, United States | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Left-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | New York Red Bulls | ||
| Number | 24 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Wappingers Lightning | |||
| 2017–2022 | New York Red Bulls | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2021– | New York Red Bulls II | 53 | (1) |
| 2023– | New York Red Bulls | 0 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of March 25, 2024 | |||
Club career
editBorn in Hopewell Junction, New York, Ofori first began playing soccer at the age of three in nearby Wappingers Falls.[1] He would later join the Wappingers Lightning, a club team coached by his father.[1] In 2017, Ofori was recruited into the youth setup of the New York Red Bulls, joining the club's under-13 side.[1] He progressed through the ranks of the academy and began playing for the under-19's in 2020, scoring his first goal for the side against Cedar Stars Monmouth.[2] With the Red Bulls academy, Ofori scored a total of 5 goals in 67 matches.[1]
New York Red Bulls II
editOn March 22, 2021, Ofori signed a professional contract with New York Red Bulls II, the reserve affiliate of the New York Red Bulls in the USL Championship.[3] He was the youngest professional signing in Red Bulls II history, joining the club at the age of 15 years and 122 days old.[3] Prior to signing, Red Bulls II head coach John Wolyniec stated that Ofori had trained with Red Bulls II the previous season.[3]
Ofori made his senior debut for New York Red Bulls II on May 7, 2021, against the Charleston Battery, coming on as a late-substitute in the 1–1 draw.[4]
New York Red Bulls
editOn December 1, 2022, it was announced that Ofori had signed a homegrown contract with the New York Red Bulls, starting from the 2023 season.[5] On July 30, 2022, Ofori made his first team debut in a friendly match against FC Barcelona, resulting in a 2-0 loss.
International career
editBorn in the United States, Ofori is of Ghanaian descent.[6] While with the Red Bulls youth academy, Ofori was selected to be part of the roster for the United States under-14 boys national talent identification east team in April 2019.[7]
Career statistics
edit- As of match played January 6, 2022[8]
| Club | Season | League | National cup | Continental | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| New York Red Bulls II | 2021 | USL Championship | 14 | 0 | — | — | 14 | 0 | ||
| 2022 | USL Championship | 27 | 0 | — | — | 27 | 0 | |||
| 2023 | MLS Next Pro | 6 | 0 | — | — | 6 | 0 | |||
| 2024 | MLS Next Pro | 6 | 1 | — | — | 6 | 1 | |||
| Career total | 53 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 53 | 1 | ||
References
edit- ^ a b c d Martelli, A.J. (March 25, 2021). "Hopewell Junction teen Curtis Ofori signs pro soccer deal with Red Bulls' affiliate". Poughkeepsie Journal. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ "15-Year-Old Hudson Valley Soccer Player Signs With Red Bulls". WPDH. March 23, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ a b c "SOME YOUNG IDEAS: Ofori (15 years, 122 days) signs with Red Bulls II, youngest in franchise history". Front Row Soccer. March 22, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ "New York Red Bulls II 1–1 Charleston Battery". Soccerway.
- ^ "New York Red Bulls sign defender Curtis Ofori to homegrown contract". Major League Soccer. December 1, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
- ^ "Wappingers' Curtis Ofori signs deal with Red Bulls, following in Tyler Adams' footsteps". Poughkeepsie Journal.
- ^ Eskilson, J.R. (March 22, 2021). "NYRB II sign 15-year-old Curtis Ofori". Top Drawer Soccer. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ Curtis Ofori at Soccerway
External links
edit- Curtis Ofori at Soccerway.com
- Curtis Ofori at FBref.com
- Profile Archived May 8, 2021, at the Wayback Machine at U.S. Soccer Development Academy