UCSB junior forward Sam Garza has signed a Generation adidas contract and will begin his Major League Soccer career.
Garza is one of three early Generation adidas signees. Fox Soccer reported Monday that Duke standout Andrew Wenger and Akron star Darren Mattocks also signed offers. They were ranked No. 1 and 2 on a ranking of recognized underclassmen. Garza was seventh on the list.
UCSB sophomore David Opoku is ranked 13th but has yet to be offered a contract.
MLS is expected to announce its first GA signings on Tuesday.
Garza transferred to UCSB two years ago from the University of Denver. The forward is noted for his slick ball handling and creating scoring opportunities off the dribble. He scored eight goals and had four assists this past season.
MLS uses the Generation adidas program to identify talented college underclassmen and sign them to pro contracts. Underclassmen are not eligible for the MLS Draft unless they are part of the Generation adidas class.
UCSB’s Michael Tetteh signed a Generation adidas offer last year and was drafted by the Seattle Sounders.
Fox Soccer also reported that UCSB senior All-American midfielder Luis Silva signed a guaranteed contract with MLS.
Silva and Garza will be attending the MLS Combine in early January. The MLS SuperDraft is on Jan. 12.
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