Barça Residency Academy’s Mark Bronnik signs USL Academy contract with Union Omaha

PAPILLION, Neb. – Union Omaha announced the signing of 17-year-old forward Mark Bronnik to a USL Academy contract, pending league and federation approval. Bronnik joins the club after a 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. As one of the academy’s most promising goalscorers, Bronnik scored 29 times at the U-17 level and 12 times in eight matches at the 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, the 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!”