FC Dallas and FC Bayern Munich have confirmed the news from last Tuesday, that the team's homegrown defender Chris Richards is being sent on loan to Bayern Munich. Richards will play for the German champions' U19 side.

Richards was named 2018 Developmental Academy Central Conference Player of the Year this week.

Richards was signed by FC Dallas in April as the team's 22nd Homegrown. Shortly after that, Richards took part in a 10-day training stint with FC Bayern that same month at the club's recently opened state-of-the-art youth academy under the supervision of the Head of Youth Development, Jochen Sauer.

Chris Richards (left) with Bayern's Head of Youth Development, Jochen Sauer. (FC Bayern US / FC Bayern US)

"Chris made a very good impression," said Sauer. "We wanted to bring him back to further develop him, exposing him to different coaching styles, opponents, and environments."

Five months ago Bayern Munich and FC Dallas announced a comprehensive partnership, the first of its kind, offering players within their professional academies a pathway to soccer both in the United States and Germany.

"We are very pleased to be making this announcement so early in our partnership," said FC Bayern Munich's President of the Americas, Rudolf Vidal. "FC Dallas is at the forefront of player development in the U.S., proven by the quality of their players. We look forward to continue building on this partnership with the intention of supporting the growth of soccer in the U.S."

Richards joined the FC Dallas Academy last year and has started 20 U.S. Soccer Development Academy matches for FC Dallas' U19s this season, scoring two goals. The versatile defender also started all three matches for the U19s in the Dallas Cup.

"I'm really looking forward to this great adventure and continuing to develop myself at FC Bayern", said Richards. "This is an incredible club with an amazing history. I'm excited to experience it as an FC Bayern player."

„Ich hoffe, dass ich hier zu einem besseren Spieler auf und neben dem Platz werde“ – Chris Richards kommt vom @FCDallas zur #FCBU19. #FCBayernCampus #MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/O2tWQJxANM — FC Bayern Campus (@FCBjuniorteam) July 9, 2018

Full Name: Chris Richards

Defender

6-2

180

March 28, 2000 (18)

Birmingham, Alabama

Hoover, Alabama

Chris Richards signs with a Homegrown contract with FC Dallas. FC Dallas technical director Fernando Clavijo (left) and Richard's agent, Corey Gibbs (right), were present for the signing. (FC Dallas / FC Dallas)

3rd Degree

USA