The youngest World medalist in U.S. history is going pro. 

 

20-year-old Trayvon Bromell, who won the bronze medal in the 100m this past August at the World Championships in Beijing, has signed a deal with New Balance. Bromell won two NCAA titles in his two years at Baylor, and ran 9.84 at the 2015 U.S. Championships in June, making the then-19-year-old the 10th fastest man in 100m history. 

WATCH DRIVEN: TRAYVON BROMELL - BONUS CLIP | WILL TRAYVON GO PRO?

Bromell has also signed with PACE Sports Management and agent Ricky Simms, whose high-profile clients include Usain Bolt and Mo Farah. 

 

“I’m thrilled to join the New Balance family, a brand that I share many of the same values and principles,” said Bromell. “I am especially excited to join a brand that supports me both on and off the track and shares my vision of giving back to young athletes from my home state of Florida.”

LISTEN: TRAYVON BROMELL ON THE TRACK BEFORE DARK PODCAST

Bromell’s signing with New Balance is surprising for a couple reasons. One, New Balance is not known for being a “sprinter brand,” and Bromell is the only current 100m medalist that represents the brand. NB is much more widely known for their distance stars.

 

Secondly, many believed that the junior-to-be would return to the NCAA since he made no announcement about his pro decision for more than a month after the World Championships. Bromell seemed to indicate that he might return to Baylor with the long delay, but with his talent and potential to battle for gold at the Rio Olympics, the opportunity to go pro proved too much to pass up.

The future of the sport - @TrayvonBromell pic.twitter.com/NzuSZQn7x1

— secondsolelyndhurst (@secondsolelyn) October 14, 2015

Bromell will remain in Waco to train with Coach Mike Ford and will finish his degree, per PACE.

“Trayvon’s accomplishments as a young athlete make him a great addition to Team New Balance. We build innovative product for the fastest athletes in the world and we look forward to working with Trayvon as he drives the future of U.S. and global sprinting,” said Tom Carleo, Vice President of Running at New Balance.

 

It’s a big day for Bromell, and it’s also a big day for track and field overall.

TRAYVON BROMELL Q&A: TALKS DECISION TO TURN PRO

Here's our instant reaction to the news of Bromell going pro and signing with New Balance: