Sporting KC II Sign Academy Product: Jahon Rad

Sporting Kansas City II continue their roster build for the 2021 season which is set to start on or around May 1st. On Wednesday, they announced the signing of former SKC Academy member Jahon Rad.

If the name sounds familiar, there are multiple reasons for that. First, Jahon has been with SKC II on an academy contract at times over the last three seasons. Additionally, his twin brother, Kaveh Rad, is already on a pro contract and is the regular starting center back for Sporting KC II.

J. Rad made his pro debut for SKC II on July 18th of 2018 against Orange County SC. He came on as a sub that day. In total he’s made 12 appearances for Sporting’s second team.

Jahon Rad joining on a professional deal means he will officially forgo his college eligibility. He had previously been committed to the North Carolina State University Wolfpack. The Rad twins would have both joined their brother Cyrus, who played sparingly for NC State. Instead, the North Carolina natives will be pros together in Kansas City.

Where Does Jahon Fit?

In his time with SKC II so far, J. Rad has been lined up at defensive midfielder. He joins an SKC II team with just 11 signed players with Brooks Thompson recently leaving for the first team. Of those 11, two players were recently drafted in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft. Left back Aedan Stanley went in the first round to Austin FC and forward Preston Judd went in the second to the LA Galaxy. If they sign MLS deals, they will be released from their USL contracts.

Of course, SKC II is often populated with loanees from the first team, though 2020 saw far less of that due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The candidate most likely to take those minutes in seasons past would have been SKC player Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal, but he had his option declined following the 2020 season. That would make Jahon the starting defensive midfielder by default at this stage in the offseason.

Many more signings are likely coming in the future, but with the season still three months away, there is plenty of time for new competition to be brought in. Additionally, SKC II usually rounds out their roster with a slew of academy contracts. Last season, as play returned, SKC II added seven players (including J. Rad) on academy deals.