Houston Dynamo sign pair of Dynamo 2 defenders to first-team contracts

A pair of Dynamo 2 defenders will be making the jump to the Houston Dynamo first-team after signing contracts on Thursday.

Defenders Micael dos Santos Silva and Mujeeb Murana are the 24th and 25th all-time MLS NEXT Pro players respectively to be signed to a first-team contract after spending last year in MLS NEXT Pro.

A native of Fresno, Texas, Murana was signed to a Homegrown contract through 2023 with club options for 2024 and 2025.

The 22-year-old Murana joined the Dynamo Academy in 2012 and is now the 15th Dynamo Academy product to sign a Homegrown contract with the first team.

Murana spent the 2022 season with Dynamo 2 and was one of four Dynamo Academy products to join their inaugural MLS NEXT Pro roster.

"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.”

Houston Dynamo FC also announced the signing of 22-year-old center back Micael to a two-year contract with club options for 2025 and 2026.

The Brazilian defender joined Dynamo 2 in 2022 from Brazilian Serie A side Atlético Mineiro. Micael featured 17 times for Dynamo 2 in 2022, leading the backline to eight clean sheets and a playoff berth for the 2022 MLS NEXT Pro playoffs.

"We are excited to sign Micael to a first team contract after a stellar campaign with Dynamo 2 last year,” Onstad said in a press release. “The purpose of our second team is to develop players who can make an impact in MLS. Micael used his time with Dynamo 2 last season to assimilate to a new country and break into our first team training environment, eventually earning MLS playing time. This new contract will create more opportunities for him to contribute to the first team’s back line in the 2023 season and beyond.”