INDIANAPOLIS – Indy Eleven announced on Wednesday it had signed Academy product Logan Neidlinger to his first professional contract. The 19-year-old Indiana native had previously competed for the side as a USL Academy signing this season.

Neidlinger is the third Indy Eleven Academy player to sign a professional contact, joining Diego Sanchez (2023) and Alann Torres (2021).  Neidlinger arrived in Indy in 2021 and previously played for Columbus Express.  Per club policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed.

“It is a great feeling to sign a professional contract with my hometown team,” said Neidlinger.  “I’ve worked my entire life to become a professional soccer player, and all of the hard work and sacrifices have paid off.”

“Indy Eleven has been one of the most competitive teams in the USL Academy system year-in and year-out, and we’re delighted to see Logan Neidlinger turn pro with the club after an impressive campaign with the First Team this year,” said USL Head of Global Football Development & Sporting Director Oliver Wyss. “Indy Academy Director Kiki Wallace and his staff have consistently set players up for success on the field, and we’re excited to see Logan's progression in the coming seasons.”

Since 2019, Indy Eleven has signed 22 players to USL Academy contracts, making the club one of the premier player development destinations in the USL Championship. Last November, the Boys in Blue signed Academy-product Diego Sanchez to his first professional contract after spending three seasons (2021-23) on a USL Academy Contract.

This season, the Indy Eleven Pro Academy team has a 7-0-2 regular season record to sit in first place in the USL Academy Great Forest Division. The side is poised to earn a trip to the 2024 Academy League Finals this December at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.

Indy Eleven has won the USL Academy Cup U-20 Division in three consecutive years (2022, 2023, and 2024) while also winning the USL Academy League Finals title in 2021.

“One of the things we’re trying to produce is more trailblazers,” said Indy Eleven Academy Director Kiki Wallace. “We want all the kids in the Academy dreaming big, and as they get older those dreams might settle down and become a little bit more realistic with where they are and what the next step is, but… we want them dreaming of being professional footballers and breaking through here at Indy Eleven.  

“It’s fantastic to have Logan continuing down that path because just like guys before him fueled the dream he’s now pursuing; he’s now fueling the dream for the next generation coming up behind him.”