Fans of Chivas, one of Mexico's most successful and popular men's professional soccer clubs, camped out in recent days to catch a glimpse of its newest player.

The Guadalajara-based Liga MX power acquired 20-year-old Ceres native Cade Cowell from the San Jose Earthquakes. The Major League Soccer (MLS) team announced Cowell's transfer for a club-record fee of $4-plus million on Monday.

Cowell will become the first U.S. National Team player to suit up Chivas, which has 3.2 million followers on Instagram. The fleet-footed forward plans to wear jersey No. 16.

"It's a dream come true to play for a club of this caliber," said Cowell, who flew from California to Mexico on Friday.

"I heard about the fans but didn't see them because security took us out of a back door to a waiting car," he added. "They have been very good to me so far and it will be an honor to play as hard as I can for them. The crowds here are unlike anything I have ever seen and I'm excited."

"We knew this was coming," father Debin Cowell said while talking about Cade's departure from San Jose. "We didn't know when and where. It's monumental in so many ways. It's insane. Chivas is a huge club with millions and millions of followers all over the world. It's a really good fit for his career at the right time. They have a really good development pathway for him. He's going to get everything he needs and more. Their new head coach (Fernando Gago) is a legend. He played for Real Madrid. He was a superstar." 

Cowell bid farewell to his former MLS club on Monday.

“I’m very thankful for everyone at the Earthquakes, from the coaching staff to the fans, for being there for me and my family every step of the way,” he stated in a San Jose press release. “You’ve watched me grow up from my first days in the Quakes Academy and helped push and inspire me to have the success I’ve enjoyed as a Homegrown Player. We’ve shared so many great memories and I’ve built so many lifelong friends that you’ll always have a special place in my heart.”

"San Jose is the first team that gave him an opportunity," Debin Cowell said. "Without the first step, transferring to a big club doesn't happen."

"We want to thank Cade for everything he has given to the San Jose Earthquakes," said Chris Leitch, general manager. "To be able to witness firsthand his exponential growth and development as a player and person both on and off the field over the years has been an absolute joy. He’s made an indelible impression on the club and we wish him and his family nothing but success in his next chapter."

Cowell spent the past five seasons with the Earthquakes.

A Homegrown Player, Cowell signed a first-team contract with San Jose in January of 2019. 

In five MLS seasons, the Quakes Academy product collected 10 goals and 15 assists in 104 appearances.

Cowell set numerous age-specific Earthquakes records during his tenure, including youngest player to make his MLS debut (16 years, 150 days), youngest player to make an MLS start (16 years, 325 days), and youngest player to score an MLS goal (16 years, 325 days).

Cowell made MLS history in 2021 by becoming the youngest player selected to the All-Star Team. He was one of two players chosen by Commissioner Don Garber.

He became the youngest player in MLS history to make 100 league appearances and was selected to the MLS 22 Under 22 list for the third consecutive year (2021-23) this past season.

Cowell joined the Quakes Academy from local club Ballistic United after the 2017-18 U.S. Soccer Development Academy season, when he led the nation with 34 goals in 32 appearances at the Under-15 level. 

Nearly seven months later, Cowell ascended to the professional ranks, becoming the youngest first-team player in Earthquakes and Bay Area team sports history (15 years, 102 days), as well as the fourth-youngest signing ever in MLS history at the time.

Cowell has earned eight caps with the U.S. Men’s National Team, making his debut in a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina in December of 2021. He represented the U.S. in the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup, where he made five appearances and scored his first goal at the senior international level in a 6-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago.

Cowell has also represented the U.S. at the U-16, U-17, U-20, and U-23 levels. He played with the U.S. U-20 National Team in the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup, leading the squad with three goals and helping Team USA reach the quarterfinals.

Cowell exited the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team January training camp this past week to begin the next chapter of his pro career.

He signed autographs while attending Chivas' season-opening game on Saturday.

He finalized his contract on Monday.

"I'm looking forward to just getting a fresh start," Cade Cowell said. "I cannot wait to play in front of these crowds and in a culture that loves soccer in the way that they do. Things will be more challenging here. But I'm looking forward to the competition and getting better as a player. This club will give me the resources to do that."

"This is the best move for his career," Debin Cowell said. "The move is necessary for him to grow, not just development on the soccer field. He has to grow up. He'll get to experience life on his own. It's going to be a culture shock. It's going to be a new environment with new coaches and teammates. It's a huge change. It's going to be a step up in competition. It's not going to be easy. It's going to be challenging and different."

Cowell’s journey to the professional ranks had some bumps in the road.

He was slowed by Osgood-Schlatter’s disease, a knee ailment, when he was a kid.

Cowell was sidelined for a month and a half after suffering a stress fracture in his back while playing flag football in the eighth grade at Cesar Chavez Jr. High.

He also didn’t receive invites to a pair of U.S. Youth National Team training camps. 

Cowell was planning to attend Central Catholic High School in Modesto prior to joining the San Jose Earthquakes in-house youth development program in 2018.

“We had already filled out the paperwork and paid the fees,” Debin Cowell said. “He was enrolled. God had other plans for him.”

Earthquakes Communications contributed to this report.