VICTOR PARRA SIGNS PRO CONTRACT
East Bay FC Stompers Victor Parra achieves his dream of signing his first professional contract in Portugal.
Victor, signed with FC Familicao in the second division of Portugal called Ledman Liga Pro. The club has elected to put Parra on loan to Argozelo a club in the Portuguese third division, Campeonato de Portugal. This move is to assure Victor will receive playing time right away and to get acclimated to the Portuguese game.
Prior to signing his pro contract he was a two year NCCA D1 player at San Jose State University (SJSU) for the Spartans men’s soccer team. This is when Coach Martin Sierra recruited him to join the Stompers for the 2016 season in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). Victor, graduated from SJSU in December of 2016 as valedictorian and in doing so was the first student athlete in school history to receive this honor.
Parra, was with the East Bay FC Stompers for the 2016 and 2017 NPSL seasons. While with the Stompers Victor was primarily featured as a winger or at the striker position.
“My experience with the Stompers was amazing. I played with some great players who were either pros in the past, playing college ball, or they were the top players in the premier leagues in the Bay Area,” Parra stated, “The Golden Gate Conference is the best conference in the NPSL in my opinion. We played some great teams with a lot of talent.”
In the last game of the season in 2016, Victor Parra arguably had his best game while in a Stompers uniform. He scored a beautiful goal in the 9′ on a ball played by midfielder Eder Guzman to the back post, where he stretched out to poke the ball in by the Sacramento Gold goalkeeper. The game was a must win game to determine which of the two sides would qualify for playoffs. In the 51’, Parra would strike again receiving a ball at midfield and displayed his speed and sheer finishing ability; as he took the ball all the way down the field and finished with a rocket shot in to the back of the net to put the Stompers in front 2-0. On the back of Parra’s effort the Stompers would go on to win 4-2 over the Sacramento Gold and cement the first ever NPSL playoff appearance for the club.
“Victor is a good player and a hard worker. He is also a very educated individual. Everyone at our club is very excited for him. He is raising the bar for Stompers not only locally but internationally,” said Stompers Owner/GM Billy Forte.
His efforts did not go unnoticed as he received an invite to the annual NPSL Player Showcase as a member of the All-West team. This tournament features the best young talent in the NPSL from all over the nation.
“I was fortunate to be chosen and sent to the NPSL Player Showcase. Being there representing the West really allowed me to see how much talent not only the NPSL had, but also how much talent the East Bay Stompers actually possess,” Victor Parra commented.
This trip is not Victor’s first trip across the pond. He also visited Portugal in 2016 but was held up on visa issues and elected to return to the US to prepare himself for his next time around. Parra attributes the Stompers for allowing him to play at a top level of soccer in the meanwhile to stay fit and sharp before going back for another shot.
“Playing with top competition helped me get to where I am today. Stompers Owner/GM Billy Forte gives his all to the team and truly cares about his players. Coach Martin Sierra is the same way,” Parra said, “They are always there for their players and very reliable with a lot of knowledge. I have learned a lot from both of them.”
Now back in Portugal, he is living his dream and playing professional soccer. With hard work and dedication, Victor Parra has been able to do what many footballers around the world only can dream of, lacing up his boots on a professional pitch.
“I am very excited to be playing pro soccer in Portugal. It has always been a dream of mine to be a pro footballer in Europe. I have always been one to chase my dreams and never give up. If you want something bad enough, you can make it happen,” Parra went on to say, “I will work hard to get to the highest level of professional soccer that I possibly can. The sky is the limit”.
Everyone from the Stompers organization and support groups wish Victor nothing but success in his professional journey overseas. He will always have a home with the Stompers in blue and gold and his two goal performance that clinched the first ever playoff spot in the NSPL will go on as one of the greatest memories in club history.
