Houston Dynamo FC signed defender Mujeeb Murana to a Homegrown contract through 2023 plus club options for 2024 and 2025, the Club announced today. Murana is the 15th Dynamo Academy product to sign a Homegrown contract with the first team.
"The entire organization is proud to see one of our own earn a contract with the first team. This is just the next step for Mujeeb, who was an important member of a successful Dynamo 2 team last season,” Dynamo general manager, Pat Onstad said. “Credit to Kenny Bundy and his staff for what they’ve done to elevate our youth pathway and create opportunities for high-potential players like Mujeeb. We are excited about his potential and look forward to his continued development in Houston.”
The 22-year-old joins the Dynamo after one season with Houston Dynamo 2, the MLS NEXT Pro affiliate of the team, which finished with a 14-6-5 record in 2022 and reached the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs. The Fresno, Texas native signed with Dynamo 2 on February 17, 2022, as one of four Dynamo Academy products to join the inaugural roster.
The Dynamo Academy product anchored the back line for Dynamo 2 throughout the year, making 22 starts in 23 appearances. Murana made his MLS NEXT Pro debut in the opening match of the season on March 26, a 1-0 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 and the first of 10 clean sheets in 2022. Offensively, Murana recorded an assist in Houston’s semifinal match against Tacoma Defiance on Sept. 25, 2022. The outside back was a regular contributor to the push into the opposing third with 12 key passes and 64 accurate long balls last season.
Murana returned to Houston after three seasons at Saint Louis University, where he was twice named to the All-Atlantic 10 team. At 12-years-old, Murana joined the Dynamo Academy in 2012 and was a two-time Student of the Year honoree. In addition to his time with Dynamo 2, Murana captained the U-19 team coached by Bundy and was coached by Daniel Roberts at the U-14 level.
