Drake Torrao-Christensen, a former player from Jessamine Storm and Kentucky Youth Soccer 1995 Boys ODP team, recently signed a contract with the youth academy program at the professional club Sporting Clube Portugal (Sporting Lisbon).
Drake went for a weeklong trial at the club back in his mother’s native country and will officially sign with the club when the academy starts their preseason in August. While playing for Jessamine Storm, Drake played up and credits this along with playing against higher level players in the Olympic Development Program to his success.
“On behalf of Kentucky Youth Soccer ODP I would like to wish Drake the best of luck with this great opportunity. I have had the privilege of working with him and know that he has the technical ability to become a good player, hopefully he will learn and develop in this great environment and it may open up some avenues for us to create a relationship between our two programs” says Adrian Parrish, Director of Coaching for Kentucky Youth Soccer.
Sporting Clube Portugal has a rich history of helping technically gifted players develop into the professional game with players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Figo and Nani all starting their careers with the club.