Virginia Tech men’s soccer player Ricardo John has announced his intentions to turn professional and sign a contract with Central F.C. of the TT Pro League in his native Trinidad and Tobago.
John, a sophomore from Arouca, Trinidad and Tobago, becomes the 15th player to either sign a professional contract or be drafted by Major League Soccer after playing during Mike Brizendine’s 10-year tenure as a coach at Virginia Tech. John concludes his two-year career at Virginia Tech having played 34 games with 29 starts. The forward scored eight goals and had three assists.
“We’re thrilled that Ricardo has been able to take this next step in his playing career. I always hate to see one of my players leave this great university without a degree but I'm excited for Ricardo and this opportunity. Few players get the opportunity to fulfill their childhood dream of becoming a professional player and I know I speak for my staff and the team in wishing him nothing but the best,” Brizendine said.
John started 16 games for the Hokies this season and scored three goals while adding two assists. He was named to the NSCAA All-South Region Third team for the second straight season. His 1.53 shots on goal per game made him tied for 35th in the nation and second amongst those in the ACC. John also recorded a total of 50 shots this season which put him 68th in the nation at 2.94.
This season, John scored a goal in Tech’s road upset of then-No. 10 Xavier as well as the game-winning goal in a 5-1 defeat of Cincinnati. He had an assist in the Hokies’ 2-1 win at Virginia Military Institute and also in the 4-1 home defeat of preseason Colonial Athletic Association favorite Delaware.
John was named Named to Trinidad and Tobago's U-20 World Cup Qualifying Squad and also competed with the Trinidad and Tobago U23 National Team as part of Olympic qualifying in the summer of 2015. John donned his country’s colors as he played n the Pan Am Games in Toronto in July 2015.
In 2014, John was named to the NSCAA All-Freshman Second Team while being All-ACC Third Team and All-ACC Freshman Team. He tied for the team lead in points with 11 as he scored five goals with one assist. He scored the game-winning goals against Wake Forest and George Washington. He also scored a goal and added an assist against NC State.