FC Dallas’ 22nd Homegrown joins German champion
FRISCO – FC Dallas and FC Bayern Munich have today announced the loan of defender Chris Richards to the German champions’ U19 side.
The signing comes just five months after the European powerhouse and founding Major League Soccer member announced a comprehensive partnership, the first of its kind, offering players within their professional academies a pathway to soccer both in the United States and Germany.
“This is a perfect opportunity for Chris,” said FC Dallas President Dan Hunt. “He will have the chance to train with the best players in the world and develop skills which will make him a solid contributor to our first team.”
“We are very pleased to be making this announcement so early in our partnership,” said FC Bayern Munich’s President of the Americas, Rudolf Vidal. “FC Dallas is at the forefront of player development in the U.S., proven by the quality of their players. We look forward to continue building on this partnership with the intention of supporting the growth of soccer in the U.S.”
Signed by FC Dallas in April, Richards took part in a 10-day training stint with FC Bayern that same month at the club’s recently opened state-of-the-art youth academy under the supervision of the Head of Youth Development, Jochen Sauer.
“Chris made a very good impression,” said Sauer. “We wanted to bring him back to further develop him, exposing him to different coaching styles, opponents and environments.”
Richards joined the FC Dallas Academy last year and has started 20 U.S. Soccer Development Academy matches for FC Dallas’ U19s this season, scoring two goals. The versatile defender also started all three matches for the U19s in the Dallas Cup.
"I'm really looking forward to this great adventure and continuing to develop myself at FC Bayern”, said Richards. “This is an incredible club with an amazing history. I’m excited to experience it as an FC Bayern player.”
Full Name: Chris Richards
Follow Chris on Social Media: Twitter | Instagram
Position: Defender
Height: 6-2
Weight: 180
DOB: March 28, 2000 (18)
Birth Place: Birmingham, Alabama
Hometown: Hoover, Alabama
Citizenship: USA
Transaction: FC Dallas loans Chris Richards to FC Bayern Munich
About FC Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich is one of the world’s most successful sports organizations on and off the pitch. Since the club’s foundation in 1900, FC Bayern has won 28 national championships, 18 domestic cups as well as five UEFA Champions League titles, making it the most successful German team in history.
FC Bayern is also renowned globally for its financial success, youth development and supporter culture. FC Bayern has a unique history of profitability, a track record of developing world class talent which can be seen by the tournament-high 14 players participating in the 2014 World Cup, as well as a unique ownership structure of being owned by more than 288,000 club members, the most of any sports organization in the world.
FC Bayern boasts a world class squad that remains one of seven in history to win a “Treble” (Domestic League, Cup and Champions League).