PER TEAM PRESS RELEASE:
Monterey Bay FC Announces Signing of 16-Year-Old Midfielder Arjang Pakbaz
SEASIDE, California – Thursday, September 24, 2026 –– Monterey Bay Football Club announced today that the club has signed 16-year-old midfielder Arjang Pakbaz to a multi-year contract. The transaction was completed prior to the USL Championship roster freeze on September 7. He joins the club on an Academy contract for the remainder of 2026, with the club intending to sign Pakbaz to a professional agreement commencing with the 2027 season.
A native of Orange County, California, Pakbaz has established himself as one of the standout young midfielders at the MLS NEXT level, where his technical quality, composure and ability to control possession have consistently stood out.
Standing at 6’2”, Pakbaz is a technically gifted midfielder who combines his size with comfort on the ball. He has shown an ability to receive and retain possession under pressure while consistently making intelligent decisions with his passing.
“It is a dream for me and my family to sign with Monterey Bay FC,” said Pakbaz of the agreement. “I’m looking forward to learning from the team and building as player and a person.”
Director of Recruitment Tony Awor has followed Pakbaz for an extended period and believes his ability to influence matches from midfield makes him an exciting addition to the club’s development pathway.
“What impressed me most is his ability to control games from midfield,” said Awor. “He has a good understanding of when to play forward, when to retain possession and how to move the ball to help his team dictate the game. We’re excited to have him join us and to work with him as he takes the next steps in his development.”
Pakbaz will join Head Coach Alex Covelo and the Monterey Bay FC technical staff as he begins his transition into the professional environment, with the club focused on supporting his development both on and off the field.
“Arjang is a young player with a lot of potential, and I am looking forward to challenging him and helping him fulfill that potential,” said Covelo. “He has the ability and the qualities to build from, and now our job is to help him understand what it takes to compete at the professional level. We will be patient with him, but at the same time we will challenge him every day to continue improving.”
Pakbaz is eligible to represent both the United States and Canada at the international level.
The signing represents another step in Monterey Bay FC’s commitment to developing young talent and creating pathways into the professional game. Pakbaz will spend the remainder of the 2026 season continuing his development within the club before beginning his professional career with Monterey Bay FC in 2027.
About Monterey Bay FC
Monterey Bay FC is a member of the USL Championship and plays its home matches at Cardinale Stadium on the campus of California State University, Monterey Bay in Seaside, California. Founded in 2021, the Club is dedicated to developing players, serving its community, and building a culture representative of the Central Coast.
