Joseph Buckley becomes the latest player to join Orange County SC’s “Next Wave” of talent. The 17-year-old has played previously for the New England Revolution academy and is now the third Barcelona Residency Academy graduate on the squad following in the footsteps of Bryce Jamison, US U-19 captain Korede Osundina.

“I signed with Orange County because they are a respected organization and club that will guide me as I start my professional career,” Buckley said. “I look forward to helping the team return to the top of the league and develop not only as a player, but as a person as well.”

The youngster is hoping to follow in the footsteps of stars Kobi Henry and Ronaldo Damus and use OCSC as a “Launchpad” for their careers. Henry and Damus are two of the four players that have starred for Orange County SC in the USL before moving on to top-tier European sides in recent years.

“We are delighted to sign Joey Buckley, another top US youth soccer talent,  to his first professional contract at Orange County,” OCSC General Manager and President of Soccer Operations Oliver Wyss said. “Joey has a tremendous future ahead of him and we are looking forward to seeing him develop as a player and person in our professional environment!”

✍️ Orange County SC signs 17-year-old defender Joey Buckley!

Welcome to the Black & Orange!

🗞 https://t.co/txkDuyDB3h#NextWave pic.twitter.com/c3KqDxe5kf

— Orange County SC (@orangecountysc) January 5, 2023

The Westwood, Massachusetts native spent four years at the Barca Academy in Phoenix, AZ. He is a four-star rated prospect, according to TopDrawerSoccer.com. Buckley has also twice been called into regional identification camps for the United States Youth National Team.

"Joey is an exciting prospect that we have tracked for some time,” OCSC Sporting Director Peter Nugent said. “He is a tenacious defender and has all the attributes we look for in a young player. Joey is tremendously driven and will fit in perfectly with our current group of young talents."

During his time in Phoenix, his play impressed so much that he earned a training invite from La Masia, Barcelona’s famed academy in the Catalan capital. Once in Spain, Buckley trained with the U-18 side “Juvenil B'' at La Masia.

“We are extremely proud of Joey as he signs his first professional contract with Orange County SC,” Barcelona Residency Academy Director Ged Quinn said. “After being with us for 4 seasons we have had the pleasure of seeing him grow and mature as a player as he progressed from our U15 through to our U19 teams. He has developed into one of the top outside backs in the country and will be a great addition for OC as they enter into the 2023 season.”