New York Cosmos announce first-ever Academy signings

NEW YORK (Via New York Cosmos) – The New York Cosmos have announced 12-year-old Aidan Pericic and 11-year-old Simon Adjakple as their first-ever Academy signings.

Both players have been sourced from Academy Affiliate Program member club, Auburndale SC, forming part of the U-12 age group.

As the Cosmos Academy begins to take shape, Ronan Wiseman, who was named Assistant Youth Director in February, becomes Youth Development Director, ensuring that the Academy’s style of play mirrors the first team.

“I’m delighted to welcome Aidan and Simon to the Academy,” said Wiseman. “Over the last few months we’ve been running a number of Academy identification centers in the New York area, searching for talented young players with the right mentality,” he added.

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The New York Cosmos have also been recognized by U.S. Soccer as a development academy for the U-13 and U-14 age groups. The club can now start working with young players from U-12 – U-14 age ranges, advancing players’ skills as well as exposing them to a professional training environment and more competitive games.

“Our ambition to have our own academy is now becoming a reality with the signing of these young players,” commented New York Cosmos Head Coach, Giovanni Savarese. “Ronan’s experience in youth coaching has really helped accelerate this process, providing young players with a developmental pathway to the first team and exposure on the national level,” he added.

“We are extremely excited for Aidan and Simon as the first two Academy signings in club history. They have been extremely humble throughout this process,” commented Carlo Acquista, Director of Soccer, Auburndale SC.

“As an Affiliate Club we are proud to assist in their development and promote our top players to the Cosmos Academy. I would like to thank Giovanni Savarese, Luke Sassano, Joe Barone and Ronan Wiseman for creating this pathway for all young players in New York. Finally, I want to thank, Paul Allen Elliot, former Trinidad and Tobago full national team player who has coached Simon for three years and Aidan for five years,” he added.