Korea striker Casey Phair joins Angel City FC

Team Korea wunderkind Casey Phair signed with Angel City Football Club in Los Angeles Thursday, inking her first professional contract at just 16 years old.

Korea's Casey Phair controls the ball during a Women's World Cup Group H match against Colombia at the Sydney Football Stadium in Sydney on Tuesday. [AP/YONHAP]

Team Korea wunderkind Casey Phair signed with Angel City Football Club in Los Angeles Thursday, inking her first professional contract at just 16 years old.

Phair, who became the youngest player ever to appear at a Women’s World Cup last year when she was called up for Korea, is now also the youngest player ever to sign with Angel City, the club said in a statement Thursday.

“The talent pool for women's football is expanding, as evidenced by Casey Phair being the youngest player signing for Angel City to date,” said ACFC General Manager Angela Hucles Mangano in a statement. “Her maturity and experience on the world stage in this past Women's World Cup will help her have a smooth transition to the professional ranks.

“We're excited to add depth to our front line and allow Casey an opportunity to grow and develop at Angel City.”

Casey Phair poses with her Angel City FC shirt in a photo released by the club Thursday. [ANGEL CITY]

Phair was born in Korea to a Korean mother and American father, and was the first multiracial player ever to be called up to the Korean national women’s team.

She was called up to the Korean U-17 team in April last year, scoring a double against Tajikistan on April 26 and a hat-trick against Hong Kong on April 30, and then made the jump to the senior squad at the World Cup. She scored her first goal for Korea against Thailand on Oct. 26, becoming the second-youngest player ever to score for the women’s squad.

Phair rounded off the year with the Korean Young Player of 2023 award, the top award given to an emerging star in Korean football.

But back in the United States, Phair was still training at the Players Development Academy in New Jersey rather than playing full club football. The move to ACFC marks her first full professional contract.

"It feels like a dream come true,” said Phair. “The first time I came to Los Angeles was last September. I trained with Angel City and fell in love with the culture and LA. All of the players were super welcoming and I really enjoyed everything about the city.

“I'm excited to start with the team, and play at BMO Stadium in front of all of the fans."

ACFC competes in the 14-team National Women’s Soccer League, the top tier of U.S. women’s football. The 2024 campaign will begin on March 16, with ACFC looking to build on last year’s fifth-place finish.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]