Three Tormenta FC Academy players sign with club’s USL League One team

STATESBORO, Ga. – Tormenta FC Academy players, as well as South Georgia and Lowcountry of South Carolina natives, Aidan Miller, Renzo Andreucetti and Esteban Quintero have signed academy contracts with Tormenta FC’s USL League One team.

Miller, Andreucetti and Quintero made their first team debuts after entering in the 75th minute in Tormenta FC’s preseason friendly against the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

“We are so proud of Renzo, Aidan, and Esteban as they get this opportunity of a lifetime to be a member of the Tormenta FC professional team on an Academy Contract,” Brad Nein, Tormenta FC Academy Vice President, said. “The hard work these boys put in at the Academy level over the course of numerous years has allowed each one of them to acquire the skills on and off the field that they can compete at the professional soccer level. We look forward to watching the impact the boys will have with the group over the course of the season.”

In the latest USL Academy Cup, Miller was featured as one of the top players to watch throughout the tournament. Captaining the Academy side, Miller played a crucial part in Tormenta FC’s victory against Louisville City FC, one of the most decorated academy teams in the USL. Miller recently graduated from Richmond Hill High School and is now taking time off to experience the professional atmosphere that Tormenta FC offers.

“Signing an Academy contract with Tormenta FC is something I have been working on for a long time; it is a dream come true,” Miller said. “I thank the organization for this opportunity of growth. I am hoping to learn how to play the game better and learn from some of the best professional players in the league.”

Andreucetti graduated from Hilton Head High School and has spent eight years playing and developing his skills through the Tormenta FC Academy. Last season, Andreucetti appeared for Tormenta FC 2, helping the team end the 2022 USL League Two season and gaining valuable minutes with one of the best League Two teams in the nation. Andreucetti’s work ethic, passing and finishing skills make him an attacking threat in the final third of the field. Andreucetti is of Argentine and Colombian descent, making him one of two players of Latino descent to sign on Academy contracts with Tormenta FC.

“I have been with Tormenta FC since I was 10 years old, so to me, signing an academy contract is something that has been in the works for eight years,” said Andreucetti. “To see Brittain Gottlieb, Tristan DeLoach and all my other teammates go through this process inspired me even more to get to this stage in my life. I hope to inspire those in the youth academy to continue helping grow the brand around South Georgia and the Lowcountry of South Carolina.”

Graduating from Hilton Head High School, Quintero joins the League One team as a top prospect hoping to learn from experienced center backs in Preston Kilwien and Jake Dengler. Quintero is of Colombian descent making him one of two players of Latino descent to sign Academy contracts with Tormenta FC.

“It is a great opportunity to grow as a player and as a person,” said Quintero. “I thank Tormenta FC for the opportunity. I am eager to learn from established players. It has been a fun experience to transition from the USL Academy team to the USL League One team. Aidan, Renzo and I push each other every day to continue to grow and motivate ourselves.”

All three players featured for Tormenta FC’s USL Academy team, which helped the players develop and prepare for the opportunity to play with Tormenta FC’s League One team. The Tormenta FC coaching staff aims to emphasize development for the local USL Academy talent around South Georgia and the Lowcountry of South Carolina while also allowing them to experience a professional soccer setting.

“Since moving to center back, Esteban has made great strides and has the attributes to be a well-rounded defender,” Jordan Melia, Tormenta FC USL League One assistant coach and USL Academy Head Coach, said. “He excelled last summer with our USLA team and has continued on that positive trajectory since. Renzo has been one of the top players in our Academy for a couple of years now. He is technically very sound, has a good understanding of the game and has a personality that has helped him seamlessly fit into the group. Aidan has performed excellently for our Academy, he has tremendous mobility and ground coverage as a central midfielder and has shown great maturity with his leadership skills within his own age group. We are excited to welcome these players into our USL League One group and help enhance our first team environment.”

Andreucetti, Miller, and Quintero join the likes of Tristan Deloach, Brittain Gottlieb, Stephen O’Hearn and Grant Hampton in representing Tormenta FC on the pitch in either USL League One play or during the preseason. USL Academy contracts allow Academy products at USL clubs to sign, train and compete in matches with professional senior teams without affecting their eligibility to play college soccer.