FRISCO, Texas (March 27, 2024) – North Texas SC has announced today the signing of center back Mads Westergren to a one-year MLS NEXT Pro contract with a club option for the 2025 season, pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
Westergren, 21, played three seasons at SMU making 51 appearances, recording 4,511 minutes while adding three goals and five assists. He was named a First Team All-American and the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 before being selected No. 73 overall in the SuperDraft by FC Dallas.
“Mads has had a tremendous college career here locally at SMU,” said North Texas SC Head Coach John Gall. “He is a player that we have kept an eye on and jumped at the chance once he became available in the draft. He’s smart on the ball, very composed and connects passes through lines very well. He has tremendous training habits and a solid foundation from his time growing up in elite academies in Denmark.”
Westergren started his career playing for his hometown team Solrød until the age of 12 when he joined HB Köge Academy and remained at the club for three years. He joined Lyngby BK Youth for two years before returning to HB Köge in 2019. For Köge’s U-19 Academy team, Westergren appeared in 12 matches and netted three goals. He logged an appearance for HB Köge’s first team off the bench in the first round of the 2019 Danish Cup. In 2020, Westergren joined Bröndby IF U-19’s Academy. He registered 21 appearances and two goals in the U-19 Boys League in Denmark.
Westergren attended FC Dallas’ preseason camp in Marbella, Spain before featuring in preseason matches for North Texas SC.
With the addition of Westergren, North Texas SC now has 17 players under contract this season:
Goalkeepers (2): Michael Collodi, Victor Darub
Defenders (5):Nico Gordon, Turner Humphrey, Malachi Molina, Tyshawn Rose, Mads Westergren
Midfielders (7): Diego García, Dylan Lacy, Nick Mendonca, Leonardo Orejarena, Pedrinho, Anthony Ramirez, Abdoul Zanne
Forwards (3):Leonard Londe, Diego Pepi, Lautaro Taboada
TRANSACTION DETAILS
Full Name: Mads Westergren
Pronunciation: Mats Wester-grain
Connect with Mads: Instagram
Position: Defender
Date of Birth: June 8, 2002 (21)
Hometown: Solrød Strand, Denmark
Nationality: Danish
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 183 lbs.
Last Club: SMU
Transaction: North Texas SC signs FC Dallas’ 2024 MLS SuperDraft pick Mads Westergren to a one-year contract with club option for the 2025 season.
