17-year-old goalkeeper acquired on loan from MLS Next Pro club Real Monarchs
BIRMINGHAM, Ala (April 19, 2024) – Birmingham Legion FC announced today the addition of goalkeeper Fernando Delgado on loan from MLS Next Pro club Real Monarchs, pending league and federation approval.
Delgado joins Legion FC in time to make the squad for Saturday’s match against Miami FC.
In the 2023 season, Delgado recorded 26 saves in 10 appearances and earned a nomination for MLS NEXT Pro’s Save Of The Year.
Delgado began his career with the RSL Academy in June 2020. Delgado won the MLS NEXT Cup with the Real Monarch U-15 squad in 2021. In addition to those accomplishments, Delgado made his professional debut at just 15 years, 2 months, and 22 days old for the Monarchs SLC on October 16, 2021, in a 4-3 win over Austin Bold. He became the youngest goalkeeper to make his professional debut at the time. He is currently the eighth-youngest player and youngest goalkeeper to have appeared in the USL Championship. This would be before the club’s move to MLS NEXT Pro.
Delgado was selected to represent the U-17 Mexico National Team at the 2023 U-17 World Cup in Indonesia in November. Delgado has been a frequent member of “El Tri” having earned consecutive call-ups in 2022.
The first opportunity to see Delgado and his teammates in person is next Saturday! Legion FC will Black Out Protective Stadium on April 27 at 6:30pm!
