Justin Che is now the 30th Homegrown signing in FC Dallas history, after the franchise announced his addition on Friday.

The defender joined FC Dallas Academy back in 2009, making 84 Development Academy appearances since 2016. He's the seventh-youngest player to sign with FC Dallas.

“Justin has been a member of the FC Dallas family since he was six and we’re thrilled to sign him to a first team contract,” FC Dallas President Dan Hunt said in a statement. “We are a club that believes in our young players. This is the lifeblood of FC Dallas.”

NEWS | FC Dallas has signed Academy product Justin Che as the club’s league-leading 30th Homegrown Player.

— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) October 2, 2020

During the 2020 season, the Texas native made his professional debut in July for North Texas SC in USL League One. He's started in all 10 matches for NTSC during the current campaign.

“I’m very excited to be the 30th Homegrown in FC Dallas history,” Che said in a statement. “It hasn’t been an easy journey to get here but it’s one I’m ready to continue. I’m looking forward to what’s coming next.”

Che is No. 13 in the 2022 Boys IMG Academy Top 150 player rankings. He's been called into various U.S. youth national team camps in the past, including the UEFA Development Tournament in the Czech Republic in May 2019.

“It hasn’t been an easy journey to get here but it’s one I’m ready to continue. I’m looking forward to what’s coming next.”

At 16 years and 319 days old, Justin Che is 𝐌𝐫. 𝟑𝟎. pic.twitter.com/WOJfhohOOA

— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) October 2, 2020

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