Diego Pepi, younger brother of Ricardo Pepi, signs pro contract with North Texas SC
FC Dallas is back in the Pepi business.
Diego Pepi, the younger brother of former FC Dallas star Ricardo Pepi, signed a professional contract with the MLS Next side North Texas SC, a team he has played for since March 26.
The 18-year-old Pepi, two years younger than his brother Ricardo, grew up in San Elizario and has been in Dallas with the FC Dallas Academy since 2021. The striker has appeared in eight games with North Texas SC and now is under contract with them through 2024.
“We are thrilled that (Diego) Pepi has committed to us,” North Texas SC interim coach John Gall said. “He’s a hard-working player who makes the game very uncomfortable for defenders with his pressing and hunting for the ball.
"He’s a natural goal scorer that puts himself in dangerous spots. I have no doubt that he will continue to push his boundaries and make a big impact at our club.”
"I'm very proud to sign my first professional contract," Pepi said. "This was always my goal. It took me a little longer to get here. Five years ago I was in this same room when my brother was signing his first professional contract. Now I'm signing my first professional contract."
Pepi played eight games with North Texas SC under his Academy contract and scored his first MLS Next goal on May 28.
North Texas SC came into existence as a USL League One side in 2019 and made Ricardo Pepi it's first signing. Ricardo Pepi scored a hat trick in FC North Texas' first game, a 3-2 victory over Chattanooga. He was moved to FC Dallas full-time in 2020 before eventually being sold to FC Augsburg of the German Bundesliga. He now plays with PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Eredivisie, the top league in the Netherlands.
North Texas SC moved into the newly-formed MLS Next in 2021. MLS Next is comprised of MLS affiliates.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at 915-546-6359; bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Diego Pepi, younger brother of Ricardo Pepi, signs pro contract
