By OkayGoal 
Mak Whitham, a young soccer pro on the rise, made headlines in the media in 2024 after being named the youngest soccer player to go pro following her signing in the summer. Born in 2010, Whitham signed with Gotham FC at just 13 years old. Flash forward to 2025, and Mak Whitham has made her first game appearance with the team. Here’s what you should know about the young star.
Growing up
Whitham grew up in Granite Bay, California, playing ECNL club soccer for MVLA Soccer Club and Slammers FC. With MVLA, Whitham helped lead the team to second place in the national finals in July 2023.
Youth National Team
Whitham has been a consistent addition to the United States Youth National Team. At age 13, she went to the U-15 training camp. The following year, she joined the team for the 2024 CONCACAF tournament and even scored a goal in the final against Mexico to help them win it all.
Making More History
Signing at 13 was not the first time Whitham made history. Before signing with Gotham FC, Whitham signed an NIL deal with Nike, making her the youngest player to do so.
Whitham has become a reliable player in the NWSL because, despite being young in the headlines, Whitham has worked incredibly hard and has even trained with KC Current, Washington Spirit, and Gotham FC before her historic signings.
Playing Style
Mak Whitham’s headlines in the news are currently revolving around her age. While she makes history in that sense, her playing style makes her a fantastic addition and reliable forward in the NWSL. One aspect that sets Whitham apart from others is her obvious speed. She is incredibly fast in both the left and right forward positions and has an eye for the goal. While attacking in the front, Whitham is also a selfless player. She plays with maturity and often sets her teammates up with seamless crosses and easy tap-ins. Both her hunger for the goal and her player awareness make her a trustworthy player to have on the field.
Image via @makwhitham on Instagram
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