Turlock native and professional soccer player Hayden Sargis made a cross country move this month after being transferred from Sacramento Republic FC to D.C. United. 

After playing in the United Soccer League Championship as part of Republic FC for two seasons, the 19-year-old defender was acquired by D.C. United on a three-year deal through 2024, the Major League Soccer club announced Monday. The deal provides options in 2025 and 2026 and will be Sargis’ first foray into MLS play. 

“Hayden [Sargis] is a young center-back who has all the qualities to be an outstanding piece of our backline in Hernán’s system,” Lucy Rushton, D.C. United General Manager, said. “He played a lot of minutes for Sacramento Republic, and we believe he is ready to make the jump up to MLS and compete for minutes on the first team. We’re excited to welcome him to the club and we’re looking forward to getting him integrated with the rest of the squad in preseason.”

With his transfer to D.C. United, Sargis becomes the third FC Republic Academy player to sign an MLS contract. Sargis joined Republic FC’s youth development academy in its inaugural 2015 season and quickly rose through the ranks, ultimately signing his first professional contact with FC Republic on Jan. 15, 2020. 

Following his rookie season, he finished as a finalist for the 2020 USL Young Player of the Year award. In two years as a professional with the first team and one while still in the academy, Sargis made 35 appearances (35 starts), recorded one assist and logged 2,789 minutes.

Sargis arrived in D.C. about two weeks ago and said the first thing he did was buy a sturdy winter coat. It’s a far cry from Central Valley weather, he said, but he’s excited to live on his own for the first time in his young adult life. Right now, Sargis and his new team are in Florida preparing for the season, which starts at the end of February.

“I was extremely pleased and happy to hear that D.C. United was interested in me, especially because they’re a known success within the MLS. That was definitely a really exciting moment for my family and me,” Sargis said. I’m super grateful for Sacramento and everything they’ve done for me, from the Academy to the first team, they were always supportive and they built me into the player I am today.”

“Hayden is a talented player, and an even better person who represents everything we are about in Sacramento. We have no doubt that he will go on to do great things in his career and will forever be a shining example of our indomitable club,” said Republic FC President and General Manager Todd Dunivant. “He is a glowing example of the top-tier talent in Northern California and further proof that our academy player pathway allows for players to reach their highest potential.”

Sargis is looking forward to his fresh start, he said. 

“I’m going to be cooking my own meals, taking care of my own laundry — stuff that you do when you move out, so that will take some time to adjust to. But as far as on the field and playing soccer, that’s all fun for me and I’m excited to just continue to play the game I love and progress into a different play,” Sargis said. “I just want to help the team win as much as possible.”