Seymour Reid was already signed to a MLS Next Pro contract with NYCFC II that stipulated he'd become a Homegrown player with New York City FC in 2026, but the team today officially announced an acceleration to the striker's timeline.
Reid officially becomes New York City FC's 17th Homegrown player as the team announced he just signed a First Team contract that runs through 2029 with an option to extend it to the 2030 season.
The 17-year-old Jamaica-born striker made his MLS debut on the road at Lower.com Field against Columbus Crew in a 0-0 draw on March, making him the youngest player to ever make his debut for New York City. It was a big moment for a player who had only recently joined New York City's youth setup, but who must have impressed Pascal Jansen during the new coach's first preseason in charge.
That Columbus debut was during Reid's first call-up via the MLS roster mechanism known as the Affiliate Short-Term Agreement, which lets clubs promote players from their MLS Next Pro affiliates for a limited number of matches, four, per season, while also limiting those players to only two actual appearances in MLS games.
Andrew Leigh
As of this Homegrown contract announcement, Reid already received two Short-Term call-ups for MLS matches and appeared once in the league this season. Instead of having only two more opportunities to be called up and one more opportunity to play an MLS match, Reid now can appear in five more MLS matches, if called upon.
That's because his contract announcement stipulates that he occupies a spot as one of New York City's Off-Roster Homegrown players.
As part of the updated roster rules MLS released earlier in 2025, Off-Roster Homegrown players are now eligible to appear in up to six MLS league matches (increased from four), while also eligible to make unlimited First Team appearances in Cup competitions, in NYCFC's case that would be Leagues Cup coming later this summer in July.
Also of note as Reid signs as a First Team player: Striker is about to be a position that's one player short for New York City FC, as Costa Rica seems very likely to call Alonso Martínez up for the Concacaf Gold Cup, which kicks off on June 14. Martínez was on the provisional 60-player roster for Costa Rica and continues to challenge in the MLS Golden Boot race after scoring his eighth goal of 2025 on Matchday 15 against Chicago Fire FC.
Reid for his part has scored seven goals in 11 appearances for NYCFC II at the Next Pro level, including a recent honor as Player of the Matchweek after bagging a hat trick in the Next Pro version of the Hudson River Derby. Reid has also already gotten two looks playing under Pascal Jansen with the MLS team. On top of the Columbus debut in March, Reid entered as a late sub in the crushing 1-0 loss to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC that sent New York City out of the US Open Cup in the Round of 32.
If Martínez is gone while NYCFC plays Atlanta United FC on June 12, CF Montréal on June 28, or Toronto FC on July 3 – possible if Costa Rica has a good Gold Cup – Reid could have more opportunities in MLS coming his way, as he'd be the only other natural striker available for selection besides Mounsef Bakrar.
You can read the full release from New York City FC announcing Reid's new contract below, the second Homegrown player NYCFC has signed in 2025 along with defender Prince Amponsah. You can also watch a video of Reid discussing his journey to MLS at the bottom of this post below the club's press release.
NEW YORK – May 27, 2025 – New York City FC today announced that it has signed Forward Seymour Reid to a First Team contract as a Homegrown player through 2029, with an option for 2030.
Reid, who originally signed an MLS NEXT Pro contract in January with the intent to become a Homegrown at the end of the season, will now join the First Team immediately and will occupy an Off-Roster Homegrown slot. The Forward becomes New York City’s 17th Homegrown in Club history.
“We are delighted to sign Seymour to a First Team contract. We’ve all been impressed with his performances with New York City FC II this season and how he’s carried himself around the First Team environment on a daily basis,” said Sporting Director David Lee. “We felt it was the right time to execute Seymour’s Homegrown contract ahead of schedule as a reward for his development and production. This move also allows Seymour to be available for more MLS matches, giving us additional roster flexibility. Seymour is another strong example of the developmental pathway we have in place in New York City, and we’re excited to continue working with him to maximize his full potential.”
“Signing a Homegrown contract with New York City FC is an incredible feeling,” said Forward Seymour Reid. “Opportunities like this don’t come around often, and I’m really excited to get started. I’m looking forward to learning from the coaching staff and my teammates every day and continuing to develop my game. I can’t wait to play at home in front of our fans and compete for trophies for years to come.”
Per MLS rules, clubs may choose to designate a Homegrown Player as an Off-Roster Homegrown Player. Off-Roster Homegrown Players are ineligible for MLS League Season competition except as short-term call-ups. Off-Roster Homegrown Players may appear as short-term call ups in up to six MLS League Season matches per season. Off-Roster Homegrown Players may appear in an unlimited number of First Team appearances in other competitions (Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup, Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Canadian Championship, friendlies, etc.).
Having already signed three Short-Term Agreements with New York City FC this season, Reid became the youngest player in franchise history to make his First Team debut when the Forward came on against the Columbus Crew on Matchday 5. Reid also made an appearance in the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 match earlier this month. With New York City FC II, Reid has scored seven goals in 11 matches for the Pigeons this season.
Reid is available for selection via a short-term call-up ahead of our match against Houston Dynamo FC at Yankee Stadium.
Transaction: New York City FC signs Forward Seymour Reid to a First Team contract as a Homegrown player through 2029, with an option for 2030.
