The Houston Dynamo signed versatile 18-year-old defender/midfielder Ian Hoffmann to a First Team contract effective January 1, 2021, the club announced today. Hoffman will be added to the club’s USL Championship hybrid affiliate roster and spend the remainder of 2020 with Rio Grande Valley FC, pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate.
"Ian is a talented and promising young player who brings valuable European and youth national team experience to our club," said Dynamo Senior Vice President and General Manager Matt Jordan. "Tab and our coaching staff are very familiar with Ian's quality on the field and character off the field. We'd like to welcome him to our organization and look forward to his continued development with RGV prior to joining the Dynamo in January."
The Connecticut native has spent the last three seasons at the Academy level with Karlsruher SC, who currently compete in the 2. Bundesliga. Hoffmann earned 38 appearances across two seasons with the U19's and led the U17's in goals and assists in his first season. Prior to joining Karlsruher, Hoffmann competed in the FC Cologne Academy.
Internationally, Hoffmann most recently scored a goal in a friendly match for the U-20 U.S. National Team in January. He has previously worked with Dynamo head coach Tab Ramos and represented the U-20 U.S. National Team on multiple occasions while sharing the field with Dynamo Academy product Marcelo Palomino earlier this year for camp. He has also played under Dynamo assistant coach Omid Namazi on the U-18 National Team.
Hoffmann has also represented the U-17 German National Team due to his grandparents German citizenship.
TRANSACTION: Houston Dynamo sign midfielder Ian Hoffmann, effective Jan. 1, 2021.
IAN HOFFMANN BIO
Full Name: Ian Jakob Hoffmann
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-7
Weight: 135 lbs
Date of Birth: September 8, 2001
Birthplace: Wilton, Connecticut
Hometown: Wilton, Connecticut
FIFA Nationality: United States
Last Club: Karlsruher SC U-19 (Germany)
How Acquired: Signed to a precontract effective January 1, 2021.
