Cai McLean and Nikolai Pierre become second and third-youngest signings in club history
PAWTUCKET, R.I. (Sept. 16, 2026) – Rhode Island FC announced today it has signed a pair of 18-year-old Major League Soccer Academy players on multi-year deals. Jamaican-born defender Cai McLean joins the club from the Inter Miami CF Academy, and Haitian Youth International Nikolai Pierre signs from the Orlando City SC Academy. The pair become the second and third-youngest players to sign a full professional contract with the Ocean State club. The deals were completed prior to the USL Championship roster freeze on Sept. 7.
“Part of our long-term goal at Rhode Island FC is being able to identify and develop young players,” said Rhode Island FC Head Coach and General Manager Khano Smith. “We have already proven that we can equip players for the next level, and bringing in young and promising talent is the next step to ensuring Rhode Island FC’s continued success.”
McLean, who spent his developmental years with Inter Miami CF’s Academy, has featured several times at the international level for Jamaica’s U-17 and U-20 sides. He most notably helped Jamaica to a perfect 5-0 record in the 2025 CONCACAF U-20 Championship qualifiers, where he made three starts and recorded an assist. He went on to make two appearances during the Championships, playing 45 minutes in Jamaica’s 2-2 tie vs. Canada that secured The Reggae Boyz a spot in the knockout round.
Pierre, an Orlando City SC Academy product, also competed in the CONCACAF U-20 Championships with Haiti. He helped his country to a 2W-1L-1T record in the competition, where it eventually fell to Costa Rica in a penalty shootout after a hard-fought 1-1 tie. The forward logged 210 minutes in his debut competition with the U-20 side. Pierre moved up to the U-20s after a successful stint at the U-17 level, where he logged 308 minutes in five appearances across the 2025 CONCACAF U-17 Championship and 2025 U-17 FIFA World Cup, scoring three goals.
Cai McLean
Position: Defender
Height: 6-2
Weight: 195 lbs.
Birthday: June 26, 2008
Hometown: Coral Springs, Florida
Previous team: Inter Miami CF Academy
Nikolai Pierre
Position: Forward
Height: 6-3
Weight: 190 lbs.
Birthday: April 1, 2008
Hometown: Naples, Florida
Previous team: Orlando City SC Academy
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