by Paul Kennedy @pkedit, Feb 14, 2018

, a 15-year-old midfielder, became the latest player from the Sounders FC Academy to turn pro and join S2, the Seattle Sounders' USL team that will play out of Tacoma in 2018.





Serrano, who was with the Sounders' first team for preseason training in Tucson, Arizona, had 17 goals and six assists in 17 games for the Sounders' U-17s, who have a 15-1-2 record in the Development Academy. He is also a member of the U.S. U-17 national team.



He originally played for the Spokane SC Shadow before joining the Sounders' academy at the age of 14. The Sounders now have a partnership with Spokane SC Shadow and operate its premier level program.



“Ray has been with the academy for a couple of years now and we are happy he is a signing for the long-term,” Sounders FC director of player development Marc Nicholls said. “He is a creative, dynamic player with a fierce desire to work and compete. Our Academy staff rates him very highly, and a big part of that is his first-rate character and appetite to learn and improve. Credit must also be shared with our club partner, Spokane Sounders, for his development and identification.”



Other academy players who have signed with S2 include Shandon Hopeau (19), Sam Rogers (18) and Azriel Gonzalez (16). Rogers was also with the Sounders' first team in Tucson.