Real Salt Lake homegrown forward Axel Kei, just two weeks after New York Red Bulls homegrown forward Julian Hall became the second-youngest player to debut in an MLS match, has added his name to the record books.
At 15 years, 289 days, Kei became the fourth-youngest player to appear in an MLS match. The 10-minute cameo appearance came in Saturday night's 2-2 draw at the LA Galaxy – a result that keeps RSL out of the top four in the Western Conference standings.
On the all-time list, Kei finds himself just beneath former Vancouver Whitecaps FC wunderkind and current Bayern Munich superstar Alphonso Davies. Former D.C. United midfielder Freddy Adu remains No. 1.
Player | Club | Age |
|---|---|---|
1. Freddy Adu | D.C. United | 14 years, 306 days |
2. Julian Hall | New York Red Bulls | 15 years, 190 days |
3. Alphonso Davies | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 15 years, 257 days |
4. Axel Kei | Real Salt Lake | 15 years, 289 days |
5. Matai Akinmboni | D.C. United | 15 years, 329 days |
6. Obed Vargas | Seattle Sounders FC | 15 years, 351 days |
7. Erik Duenas | LAFC | 15 years, 362 days |
8. Stiven Jimenez | FC Cincinnati | 15 years, 362 days |
9. Danny Leyva | Seattle Sounders FC | 16 years, 31 days |
10. Reed Baker-Whiting | Seattle Sounders FC | 16 years, 46 days |
Kei was the youngest-ever player to sign a first-team contract when he inked a deal with RSL at 14 years, 15 days old in 2022. Since then, he's played 19 matches (17 starts) for Real Monarchs in MLS NEXT Pro, tallying 4g/4a.
Born in Ivory Coast and raised in Brazil until his family relocated to San Diego in 2017, Kei remains eligible for multiple national teams.
