FC Cincinnati 2 have signed forward Philip Horton to a MLS NEXT Pro contract from the University of Virginia, the club announced today. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
In addition, FC Cincinnati 2 have signed midfielder Grayson Dupont to a short-term loan from Birmingham Legion of the USL Championship.
Horton, a New Albany, Ohio native, played four seasons with the Cavaliers, making 52 appearances. In his time in Charlottesville, Va., he scored eight goals and added four assists. As a true freshman, Horton made 19 appearances for UVA and scored his first collegiate goal in a 3-0 win against George Washington.
During his final season with the Cavaliers, Horton started all 19 games, finishing second on the team in goals (six) and assists (three). Horton impressed throughout the regular season, notching a match-winning goal against rivals Virginia Tech and a two-goal, one-assist performance against the University of Pittsburgh.
Horton earned National Player of the Week and ACC Offensive Player of the Week honors with his performance over Pittsburgh and was named to the 2022 All-ACC Academic team. The forward also played alongside current FC Cincinnati 2 defender Bret Halsey in 2019 on their way to a NCAA Championship appearance.
Dupont, 25, has made 13 appearances in two seasons with the Legion scoring one goal and one assist while appearing in the USL Championship playoffs in 2022 and the club’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup run in 2023.
Both Horton and Dupont will be available for selection Sunday night against New England Revolution II.
TRANSACTION: FC Cincinnati 2 sign Philip Horton to a MLS NEXT Pro contract on June 16, 2023.
PHILIP HORTON
Position: Forward
Hometown: New Albany, Ohio
Height: 6’ 0”
Nationality: American
College: University of Virginia
