Claudio signs pro soccer deal with Union Omaha
Gabriel Claudio, a 2017 grad from Cibola High School, recently signed as free agent in USL League One
OMAHA, Neb. ( KYMA, KECY-TV ) - "It's been a long journey but it was worth it every step," Gabriel Claudio said from his apartment in Omaha, Nebraska. Claudio, a 2017 graduate from Cibola High School recently signed a free agent contract to play professional soccer in the USL League One. Claudio signed on to play as a defender for Union Omaha.
"I started with the ball at my feet when I think I was three or four," Claudio said. "Started playing all the rec leagues in Yuma, played in Mexico, played in San Luis a little bit. Yuma and then high school at Cibola and had a lot of fun there."
While at Cibola High School, Gabriel also played for his father Bryan, who is still the head varsity coach for the Raiders and recently led Cibola to the AIA state 6A boys soccer playoffs.
"It was great," Claudio said. "He taught me not only about the game but growing up as a man. It was great to be with him all those years. We had some success but wanted to take it a little further than we did."
After high school Claudio played junior college soccer for Yavapai before heading to UNLV.
"I'm just grateful for all the opportunities and the coaches I had," Claudio said. "In my time growing up in Yuma, I had a good structure, a good backbone of people behind me."
With talented soccer players throughout the Desert Southwest, Claudio shares a little advice for any young soccer player striving to play professionally.
"Take it day by day, that's the biggest thing," Claudio said. "Get on the field everyday and don't take any moment for granted. No matter what it is, if your outside for 30 minutes hitting the ball against the wall getting some touches in, or you're out training with the team or playing a game. Each day try to get on the ball and never take it for granted, that's the biggest thing."
Besides the backing of his community and various coaches, it's his parents that also sacrificed for him along the way.
"I'm sure my dad is really proud," Claudio said. "I mean he and my mother dedicated their whole life to see me have success along with my brother and sister. They've given everything they have so, they have to feel pretty proud right now."
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