Sporting KC adds two Homegrown Players

Sporting Kansas City announced the signing of a pair of 16-year-old Homegrown Players . Defender Ian James and goalkeeper Jack Kortkamp have signed MLS contracts through 2027 with club options for 2028 and 2029. They become the 20th and 21st Homegrown Players

Minnesota United announced that they acquired an undisclosed amount of General Allocation Money (GAM) from Sporting Kansas City in exchange for the Homegrown Priorities of James and Kortkamp. The club or a representative did not disclose the amount, but it is reported to be higher than what LAFC paid to Minnesota previously.

#SportingKC had to pay a fee to Minnesota United for their homegrown rights. MNUFC essentially closed their academy in 2020, which is why Kortkamp and James joined Sporting.

One source puts the individual fees higher than what LAFC paid MNUFC for Darboe ($50k).

— Daniel Sperry (@sperrydaniel94) December 6, 2024

Minnesota shut down a large part of their academy system in 2020 resulting in many of their players moving to other MLS Academies. Sporting KC is the beneficiary of that but at the same time Minnesota is holding the players they failed hostage for more GAM and percentages of future contracts.

A younger SKC

Sporting KC just became much younger on average. Not only will they be the two youngest players on SKC’s roster, James is now the youngest defender and Kortkamp is now the youngest goalkeeper currently signed to MLS contracts. James is the fourth youngest and Kortkamp the fifth youngest in Sporting KC history as well.

Youngest Signings in Sporting KC History (Age & Date of Signing)

1. Gianluca Busio (15 years, 89 days) – Aug. 25, 2017
2. Tyler Freeman (15 years, 266 days) – Oct. 2, 2018
3. Erik Palmer-Brown (16 years, 100 days) – Aug. 2, 2013
4. Ian James (16 years, 183 days) – Dec. 6, 2024
5. Jack Kortkamp (16 years, 313 days) – Dec. 6, 2024 / Ozzie Cisneros (16 years, 313 days) – Jan. 20, 2021

Ian James

James is a 6-foot-2 center back that has played for SKC’s Academy at the U-14 through U-19 youth levels. He has been called up to the U.S. U-16 and U-17 Men’s National Teams as well. James made ten appearances for Sporting KC II during the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season.

James was in preseason with the first-team in Miami and made three appearances while he was there. The young defender has impressed at every level in the organization. He will likely get a number of starts with SKC II but do not be surprised if he also makes the field for the first-team in 2025.

As a center back, James has shown good positioning, speed and ball control at the Academy and MLS

Ian James | Credit: Thad Bell

Jack Kortkamp

Kortkamp has played for Sporting KC at the U-14 through U-19 levels and shined when he helped the U-19s win their second consecutive UPSL regular season division title. He also helped lead the U-17s to the quarterfinals of the 2024 Generation adidas Cup alongside James. As a U.S. youth international, Kortkamp has played in the U-15, U-16 and U-17 age groups.

Kortkamp made three starts for SKC II in 2024 and will likely have more chances with them in 2025.

Jack Kortkamp snuffing out a chance | Credit: Thad Bell

Summary

James and Kortkamp have been discussed as the next generation of academy products to make the leap to the first-team. At their young age, it may take some time for either of them to get significant MLS minutes but James could get minutes sooner than Kortkamp. Not a criticism of Kortkamp, just a factor of keepers taking longer to develop. James can easily be late game sub or play versus Open Cup competition.

Both are good signing with a long view in mind.

VITALS
Ian James
Number: 2
Position: Defender
Birthdate: 06/06/2008 (16 years old)
Height: 6-2
Weight: 190 lbs.
Hometown: St. Paul, Minnesota
Birthplace: St. Louis Park, Minnesota

VITALS
Jack Kortkamp
Number: 12
Position: Goalkeeper
Birthdate: 01/28/2008 (16 years old)
Height: 6-3
Weight: 185 lbs.
Hometown: Maple Grove, Minnesota
Birthplace: Oakville, Canada