How a teenage academy reject became a top MLS draft pick
In short: After leaving Manchester United's academy at age 14, Jack Harrison moved to the United States. His journey from high school standout to the number one overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft is a rare tale of transatlantic success that eventually led him back to the English Premier League.
Jack Harrison's professional trajectory is defined by a significant move across the Atlantic. After spending seven years in the Manchester United academy, the England-born winger opted to attend Berkshire School in Sheffield, Massachusetts, at age 14. His talent was immediately evident; in 2015, he was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year, becoming one of only four overseas players to achieve this distinction in men's high school soccer since 2012.
His collegiate performance for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons served as a springboard to professional stardom. During the 2015 NCAA Division I season, Harrison recorded eight goals and 11 assists in 22 appearances. His performance earned him the top spot in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft via the Chicago Fire, before a trade sent him to New York City FC.
Harrison's time in Major League Soccer was marked by rapid ascent and physical setbacks. Despite suffering a fractured pelvic bone that sidelined him for three months, he became the first teenage scorer for NYCFC. His impact was significant enough that he was rated as the second-best player in the league among those under 24 during his debut year. This momentum eventually facilitated a move to Manchester City in 2018, marking his return to the English football system.
The complexity of his career is further highlighted by his various loan spells and permanent transfers. After stints at Middlesbrough and Leeds United, Harrison eventually moved to the New England Revolution in 2026 on a Designated Player contract, illustrating the cyclical nature of modern professional football careers.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Jack Harrison (footballer, born 1996)
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