FC Naples signs former SW FL soccer star Sebastian Joffre from Gulf Coast High

Earlier:FC Naples names Matt Poland as first head coach as it prepares for United Soccer League One playThe former Gulf Coast High School star is the latest player to sign with FC Naples, the United Soccer League One expansion team set to debut next month at the Paradise Sports Complex in East Naples.Sebastian Joffre has played professional soccer all over the world but couldn’t pass up the chance to return home.“Sebastian is a player I identified early on as a local talent that I wanted to sign,” FC Naples coach Matt Poland said. “He has a wealth of experience as a player both domestically and internationally. His ability to play in different systems and positions will be important for us throughout the season.”

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.Originally from Bolivia, Joffre and his family moved to Naples in 2012. As a sophomore at Gulf Coast, Joffre was named the Naples Daily News Boys Soccer Player of the Year after scoring 33 goals and 22 assists to lead the Sharks to the Class 4A state final. Two years later, Joffre ended his high school career on the highest of notes, scoring the overtime-winning goal in Gulf Coast’s 2-1 win over Jacksonville Fletcher in the 2018 4A state championship game.In 2019, Joffre began his professional soccer career with Orlando City B in the inaugural season of the USL League One. He subsequently went overseas and joined U21 teams Crystal Palace (England) and RWD Molenbeek (Belgium) before playing for Botafogo, one of Brazil’s top clubs. Last season, Joffre played for the Real Monarchs in the MLS Next Pro, scoring three goals in 19 appearances.When the chance to return to Naples and play for the city’s first pro soccer club materialized, Joffre said he couldn’t pass it up.”Coming back home, it’s always great,” he said. “It was difficult for me because I had to go outside the other country to reach my dreams.”Being away from home for many years, I think that’s what got it in my mind that I just wanted to come back and be closer to home.”Now Joffre has the chance to help give the area’s best high school soccer players an up-close vision of what the future could hold for them if they continue to stick with the game.”I went from not knowing much about the soccer system to going to like the highest which is in Europe,” he said. “I’ve grown a lot and know a lot more about the game.”FC Naples will open its inaugural season on Saturday, March 8 against the Chattanooga Red Wolves. For more information, visit fcnaples.com.