On Tuesday, Major League Soccer announced the new MLS NEXT Development Grant program, an initiative to recognize the significant contributions of MLS NEXT Elite Academies to the professional player pathway, by continuing to invest in the youth development ecosystem.
The Development Grant program will provide additional opportunities for players across the country and Canada to access the highest level of player development, while recognizing the considerable impact that these clubs make in the early stages of a player’s development.
The program has already compensated a total of more than $100,000 to eight different MLS NEXT Elite Academies for players that are retroactively eligible for the Development Grant.