The Barça Residency Academy star is the club’s third-ever academy signing
PAPILLION, Neb. (February 20, 2024) – Union Omaha announced today the signing of Mark Bronnik pending league and federation approval. The 17-year-old forward joins the club after a very successful youth career in the New York Red Bulls academy and, most recently, the Barça Residency Academy.
In 2023, Bronnik represented the Arizona-based Barça Academy in the third season of MLS Next. The competition includes 628 youth clubs across the United States, including all Major League Soccer academy teams, who compete at various age levels. One of the academy’s most promising goalscorers, Bronnik scored 29 times at U-17 level and 12 times in eight matches at U-19 level last season.
Prior to his time with Barça Academy, Bronnik represented New York Red Bulls at various academy age group levels beginning in 2017. Bronnik also spent time with one of American soccer’s most historic clubs and the winner of the 1991 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Brooklyn Italians. Union Omaha Head Coach Dominic Casciato – then serving as the Italians’ club director – identified Bronnik there.
“I’m really excited to have added Mark to our squad,” said Casciato. “He’s a player I’ve known since he was just 7 years of age, where he excelled under the watchful eye of Freddie DiMarco at the Brooklyn Italians. Since then, Mark’s development has been impressive, and he joins us from the Barça Residency Academy where he has thrived over the past couple of seasons.
“He’s been fortunate to have worked with some excellent coaches there in Steph Rigaud and Ged Quinn, turning into a forward with an excellent eye for goal and good instincts in and around the box. I look forward to reuniting with Mark and helping guide him as he takes his first steps into the professional game.”
“I am thrilled to join Union Omaha and can’t wait to contribute my skills and passion to the team,” said Bronnik. “Let’s work together to achieve great success on and off the field!”
- Name Pronunciation: [Mark BRON-nik]
- Position: Forward
- Height: 6’1”
- Weight: 150 lbs.
- Date of Birth: 11/8/2006
- Born: Brooklyn, NY
- Previous Club: Barça Residency Academy
Union Omaha’s home opener is on April 20 against Charlotte Independence at Werner Park. Season ticket memberships and voucher packs for the 2024 season are currently available via UnionOmaha.com or through the Werner Park Ticket Office by calling (402) 738-5100.
ABOUT UNION OMAHA: Union Omaha, the 2021 USL League One Champion and 2023 USL League One Players’ Shield Winner, is the only professional soccer team in the state of Nebraska. USL League One is a United States Soccer Federation-sanctioned professional men’s soccer league that occupies the third tier of American soccer, below USL Championship (tier two) and Major League Soccer (tier one). Union Omaha plays its home matches at Werner Park in Sarpy County, also home to the Omaha Storm Chasers of Minor League Baseball. The team is led by General Manager of Business Operations Alexis Boulos in the front office and Head Coach Dominic Casciato on the field.
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