Seymour Reid Bio
Seymour Garfield-Reid (born 4 March 2008) is a Jamaican professional footballer who plays as a forward for Major League Soccer club New York City FC. He is regarded as one of the most promising young attackers to emerge from the New York City FC Academy and has already set notable club records at a very early stage of his professional career. Reid also represents Jamaica at international level, having progressed through the country’s Under-17 setup before earning a senior national team call-up.
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Reid relocated to the United States as a child and developed through several youth programs before joining the New York City FC Academy in fall 2024. He made his professional debut with NYCFC II in 2025 and quickly rose into the first team, where he set records as the youngest player in club history to appear and to score in an MLS match.
Early Life and Background
Seymour Garfield-Reid was born on 4 March 2008 in Kingston, Jamaica. He grew up in a sporting environment that introduced him to football at an early age and shaped his early development as an attacking player.
When Reid was nine years old, his family relocated to the United States, where he continued his football education. He played youth football for Progressive Soccer Club before being scouted by Cedar Stars Academy, a New Jersey-based program known for developing young talent in the region. His time at Cedar Stars helped him sharpen the technical and physical traits that would later define his style as a forward.
In fall 2024, Reid moved from Cedar Stars Academy to the New York City FC Academy, joining one of the most established youth systems in Major League Soccer. The move placed him on a direct pathway toward professional soccer in New York and set the stage for his rapid rise within the club structure.
Path to Professional Soccer
Reid’s development accelerated quickly after entering the New York City FC Academy. His performances at the youth level drew attention from the club’s professional staff, and he soon earned opportunities to train and play with senior-level sides affiliated with New York City FC.
In March 2025, Reid signed an MLS NEXT Pro contract with NYCFC II that ran through the 2025 season, with a scheduled promotion to a First Team Homegrown contract in 2026. He made an immediate impact at the reserve level, scoring three goals in his first two professional matches, including a brace and a game-winning goal. Across his early professional appearances for NYCFC II, he tallied seven goals in eleven matches.
His form at NYCFC II, combined with his performances in the academy, convinced the New York City FC first team staff that he was ready for the next step. That belief was confirmed when he earned three Short-Term Agreements with the senior squad and made his MLS debut in March 2025, becoming the youngest player in club history to appear in a league match.
Seymour Reid Career
Early Career (2024–2025)
Reid’s earliest professional chapter unfolded with NYCFC II in 2025, after he joined the New York City FC Academy the previous fall. He signed his first professional deal with the reserve side and wasted no time demonstrating his finishing ability in front of goal.
In his first two appearances for NYCFC II, Reid scored three times, highlighted by a brace and a decisive match-winner. Across his early professional stretch, he produced seven goals in eleven matches, a record that underlined his readiness for a higher level and paved the way for his transition into the senior team.
New York City FC Breakthrough (2025)
Reid’s rise to the New York City FC first team came in March 2025, when he earned Short-Term Agreements that allowed him to feature for the senior squad. He debuted as a substitute in a 0–0 draw against Columbus Crew, a milestone appearance that made him the youngest player in club history to play in an MLS match.
On 27 May 2025, Reid signed a Homegrown Player contract through 2029, with an option for 2030, becoming New York City FC’s seventeenth homegrown signing. The agreement made him immediately eligible for first team call-ups and confirmed his long-term place within the club’s plans.
On 13 September 2025, Reid scored against Chicago Fire FC, becoming the youngest player in the history of New York City FC to score in an MLS match at seventeen years old. The goal cemented his status as a breakthrough talent and gave him a signature moment in his first professional season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Reid is a traditional number nine who combines physical presence with technical control and composure in front of goal. His ability to operate as a central focal point has drawn praise from the New York City FC coaching staff, with coach Matt Pilkington describing him as a young player with a lot of qualities.
Notable Events and Milestones
Reid’s standout milestones include becoming the youngest player in club history to appear in an MLS match on his debut against Columbus Crew, signing a Homegrown contract through 2029 in May 2025, and becoming the youngest goalscorer in club history with his strike against Chicago Fire FC on 13 September 2025.
Seymour Reid International Career
Reid has represented Jamaica at youth international level, featuring for the Jamaica Under-17 national team, where he scored three goals in four appearances. His performances at youth level established him as a notable attacking prospect within the Jamaican football pipeline.
In October 2025, Reid received his first call-up to the Jamaica senior national team, marking a significant step in his international development and reflecting his rapid rise at club level. The call-up positioned him as one of the youngest Jamaican players to be considered for senior duty in recent years.
Seymour Reid Personal Life
Reid was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, before his family relocated to the United States when he was nine years old. He has continued to live and train in the New York metropolitan area as he has progressed through the academy and professional ranks with New York City FC.
As a young professional at the start of his senior career, Reid remains focused on his development within the New York City FC system and his growing role with the Jamaica national team setup.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Seymour Reid’s first full professional campaign, beginning with NYCFC II in MLS NEXT Pro before his promotion to the New York City FC first team. He opened his professional account in emphatic fashion, scoring three goals in his first two matches for NYCFC II, including a brace and a match-winning strike.
Reid’s form earned him senior opportunities almost immediately, and his MLS debut against Columbus Crew in March 2025 set the tone for a season defined by milestones. He became New York City FC’s seventeenth homegrown player when he signed a contract through 2029 in May, and he added a historic goal against Chicago Fire FC in September, becoming the youngest scorer in club history.
Beyond his club performances, Reid earned recognition at international level, receiving his first senior call-up to the Jamaica national team in October 2025. With a long-term contract secured, a senior international debut on the horizon, and a record-breaking first season behind him, Reid enters the remainder of 2025 as one of the most closely watched young forwards in Major League Soccer.