Sporting KC signs trio from developmental squad

Short-term deals for midfielders Donovan and Ortiz, defender Lurot

Mar. 22, 2026 at 5:00pm

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Sporting Kansas City has signed three players from its developmental squad, Sporting KC II, to short-term agreements. The trio includes midfielders Shane Donovan and Johann Ortiz, as well as defender Pierre Lurot.

Why it matters

Signing players from the developmental squad to the first team is a common practice in MLS, allowing clubs to evaluate talent and provide opportunities for young players to gain experience at the top level.

The details

The three players - Donovan, Ortiz, and Lurot - have all been playing for Sporting KC II, the club's developmental squad in the MLS NEXT Pro league. The short-term deals will allow Sporting Kansas City's technical staff to assess the players and determine if they have the potential to contribute to the first team roster.

  • Sporting Kansas City announced the signings on March 22, 2026.

The players

Shane Donovan

A midfielder who has been playing for Sporting KC II.

Johann Ortiz

A midfielder who has been playing for Sporting KC II.

Pierre Lurot

A defender who has been playing for Sporting KC II.

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What’s next

The three players will have the opportunity to train with and potentially play for Sporting Kansas City's first team during the short-term agreements.

The takeaway

Sporting Kansas City's willingness to provide short-term deals to developmental squad players demonstrates the club's commitment to nurturing young talent and giving them a pathway to the first team.