The Swope Park Rangers have signed midfielders Josh Chong and Jahon Rad to Academy contracts, the club announced today. Both signings are pending league and federation approval, while their Academy contracts do not affect each players’ NCAA eligibility.
Chong, 18, rejoined the Sporting KC Academy in 2018 and has made 33 appearances since, tallying seven goals playing primarily on either wing for both the U-17s and U-19s. He had previously spent time with the Sporting KC U-15s earlier in his youth career before a stint with European Soccer Institute in Kansas.
Chong, who was born in Seoul, South Korea but grew up in Lynchburg, Virgnia, moved to Kansas City in 2013. Chong spent significant time training with the Rangers late in 2018.
Jahon Rad joins his twin brother, Kaveh Rad, on the Rangers roster. The two 17-year-olds joined the Sporting KC Academy together at the start of the 2016-17 USSDA season, having previously been a part of the Capital Area RailHawks Academy in their native North Carolina. J. Rad has made 67 appearances for the Academy, including 19 in the 2018-19 season for the U-19s, tallying three goals.
J. Rad also made his professional debut with the Rangers in 2018, earning his first of two appearances as a substitute against Sacramento Republic FC on July 10, 2018, before later making his first professional start against Orange County SC at Children’s Mercy Park on July 18, 2018.
The Rangers (1-4-3) are back in action tomorrow when the side takes on Nashville SC at First Tennessee Park on Saturday night with kickoff set for 7 p.m. CT. All USL Championship games are streamed live on ESPN+, while tickets for home games are available via SeatGeek.com.
VITALS
Gyuwon Joshua Chong
Position: Forward
Number: 54
Born: 1/29/2001 (18 years old)
Height: 5-8
Weight: 135 lbs.
Hometown: Lynchburg, Va.
Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea
Citizenship: South Korea
Instagram: @joshuac.14
VITALS
Jahon Rad
Position: Midfielder
Number 84
Born: 6/13/2001 (17 years old)
Height: 6-1
Weight: 180 lbs.
Hometown: Durham, N.C.
Birthplace: Chapel Hill, N.C.
Citizenship: USA
Twitter: @jahonrad
Instagram: @jahonrad
