American Youth Soccer Player Turns Pro in Germany
Updated
In an emotional Instagram post from the stadium VELTINS-Arena, San Diego Surf SC US U17 midfielder Evan Rotundo announced he has signed a pro contract with the famous German Bundesliga club Schalke 04.
Read: GROWING UP WITH A DREAM: 16-YEAR-OLD EVAN ROTUNDO SIGNS WITH SCHALKE 04
“I’m very excited to finally announce that I have signed a professional contract with Schalke 04 on my birthday today!” 🔵⚪️
“I cannot put into words the emotions I’m feeling right now.”
Evan Rotundo
“Since I was a kid I had this dream to play professionally and everyone that knows me will understand what this day means to me.”
“I want to thank everyone that has helped me along the way. Family, friends, coaches, teachers; you know who you are and each of you knows the part you’ve played in my journey to get me to where I am today.”
Read: SURF SC’S EVAN ROTUNDO ON U15YNT ROSTER FOR ITALY
“Big thanks to my agency; Base Soccer who has helped me make this all possible. Huge thanks to my mom and dad and my brother who have been there through the good and the bad times and it will be tough to leave you. I love you guys. This is the biggest moment of my life so far and I know that this is just the next step in my career.”
Many congratulations to birthday boy and @USYNT international, Evan Rotundo, who has signed for @s04 📝 pic.twitter.com/vXLnU48WOI
— Base Soccer Agency (@BaseSoccer) July 9, 2020
“So let’s get to work!”
@s04 Wir Leben Dich #s04 #mambamentality#knappenschmiede
Josh Henderson, San Diego Surf SC’s Senior Director of Coaching has known Evan Rotundo for years and said, “Evan has always been a self-motivated player constantly working on his game. Surf provided Evan with a consistent training environment, practicing with other like-minded soccer players. The combination of Evan’s work ethic, natural talent, commitment, and development at Surf have earned him this historic contract.”
“As with all players that turn pro at his age, his journey is just beginning and the Surf family is thrilled to be his biggest fans.”
Josh Henderson, Surf SC – Senior Director of Coaching
“We are all excited for him, it’s a long journey,” said Benoit David who was Rotundo youth soccer coach at Surf for the 2017/18 and 2018/19 soccer seasons. “I’m interested to hear about his personal growth, learning a new language, being an outsider, and how he molds into the group. We wish him all the best on this next phase of his development.”
Prior to joining Surf SC, Rotundo played for six seasons with San Diego’s Albion Soccer Club.
“Evan Rotundo started with ALBION at U8 and played through to U13,” said Wayne Crowe. “During this time, he was in a team that excelled with success, earning multiple tournament championships including becoming Cal South State Cup champions at the U9 age group, national champions at the U12 age group, and Regional Finalists at U12.”
