Another top recruit from the class of 2021 has made the decision to pursure the pro path.

Sota Kitahara, out of the Seattle Sounders Academy, signed a contract with USL Championship side Tacoma Defiance, the club announced this week.

A long time member of the Sounders Academy, Kitara is No. 21 in the 2021 Boys IMG Academy player rankings. His invovlement with the Sounders in the Development Academy dates back to the 2016-17 season with the Under-14s. He made 83 appearances in the DA, before playing for the Defiance during the 2020 USL Championship season.

For the Defiance, Kitahara played in 14 games this season, making 13 starts in midfield. The Washington native has also played for the U.S. U16 BNT, playing at the Nike Friendlies in November 2019.

Taking the next step ?

Congrats to our own Sota Kitahara on signing with @TACdefiance! ? ? #TheFuture pic.twitter.com/8MdjhGPxuh

— Sounders FC Academy (@SoundersAcademy) December 15, 2020