Published in Partnership with International Development Academy
The International Development Academy (IDA) staff was recruiting at the 2019 Youdan Cup in England when they noticed a stand-out player. In a game between GPS National Team and Sheffield United, GPS player Jeremy De Leon took the spotlight. De Leon, being a former Puerto Rico Surf player, decided to join IDA Valencia in 2020 to complete his high school education with USPA while training full-time.
A few key factors contributed to De Leon’s success and growth as a player. International Development Academy’s staff strives to provide players with all the resources, energy, and motivation needed to achieve their goals. However, success does not come without work. De Leon embodies IDA’s values; he came to IDA with a rather small stature and built up his strength and technicality over time. His dedication to the game and the culture at IDA was met with a rewarding career at the International Development Academy and beyond.
At just 17 years old, De Leon led the Puerto Rico Under-20 Team in the 2022 CONCACAF Championship Qualifier with two goals against Bermuda. De Leon also competed in Puerto Rico’s 2022 UNCAF U-19 Tournament in Belize, where he netted 2 out of 3 goals in a 3-3 draw. After one year at IDA, he became a regular with the senior Puerto Rican national team as well as catching eyes from Atletico Madrid and Villarreal.
Following a very successful trial with CD Castellon’s youth team, where he scored 11 goals in 10 games, De Leon signed his first professional contract with CD Castellon’s first team — members of the third tier of Spanish soccer. The contract will last until 2024.
De Leon’s professional debut in the Primera Division RFEF was in CD Castellon’s derby game against Villarreal CF B. He would go on to play against FC Barcelona B at the Estadi Johan Cruyff at just 18 years of age. Since joining the Castellon squad, De Leon has earned match MVP, gained sufficient minutes, and proven his worth at the professional level. Perhaps his most treasured success to date was scoring in front of a sold-out crowd in Castellon’s 4-3 playoff victory against RC Deportivo on June 11, 2023.
?? Desde ?????? ???? con mucho ???.
? ?????? ?? ???́? marca el segundo y le da la vuelta a la eliminatoria ante la locura de Castalia con su @cdcastellon.
? https://t.co/ePO32wniIM. #PrimeraFederación | #ElFútbolDePrimera pic.twitter.com/FzGhhcNd1p
— Primera Federación (@Primera_RFEF) June 11, 2023
About IDA: IDA offers ambitious student-athletes aged 15-22 the opportunity to develop their game while following a fulfilling academic curriculum. With four locations throughout the United States and Europe, players are in control of their own pathways to college and/or professional levels. Stay, train, and compete in over 50 matches a year while pursuing the next steps in an athletic and academic career.
