The California native has agreed to a multi-year deal with the Serie A side, which had been targeting the youngster for years.

U.S. U-20 forward Joshua Perez has signed a deal with Fiorentina, sources tell Goal USA.

The 18-year-old agreed to a multi-year contract with the Serie A club, which will use one of its foreign player slots to add the standout American youth player.

Perez had been linked to Fiorentina for the past few years, but he was forced to wait until his 18th birthday to sign with the club since he does not have a European passport. He turned 18 on Jan. 21.

One of the most highly regarded youth prospects in the country, Perez played for the the U.S. at last summer's U-17 World Cup.