North Carolina State University Athletics
Manny Perez Signs Contract with Celtic F.C. of Scotland
1/31/2019 3:51:00 PM | Men's Soccer
January 31, 2019
Celtic F.C. Release | North Carolina FC Release
GLASGOW, Scotland – Manny Perez of the 24th-ranked NC State men's soccer team has officially signed a three-and-a-half-year contract to play professional soccer with Celtic F.C. of the Scottish Premiership, the club announced recently. As a part of the agreement, Perez has been loaned back to local club North Carolina FC of the United Soccer League (USL).

"This is a huge opportunity for me," Perez told GoPack.com. "A lot of people in my hometown are really happy for me and excited for me. It's the right move for the way that I want to continue my soccer development. Celtic is a great place to be and I'm very excited to continue my career as a soccer player."
"Being at NC State for two years has helped me so much and I'm absolutely going to miss this place a lot. I'm glad that the program has improved so much under some great coaching and I'm happy that I was a part of it. I'm excited for the future of NC State soccer and I wish the best of luck to all of the players coming in and to those who are creating that winning culture."
During two seasons with the Wolfpack, Perez played 29 official matches (28 starts), and scored six goals (three match-winners) while contributing nine assists. He was named ACC Freshman of the Year and Second Team All-ACC at the end of the 2017 season, becoming just the second Wolfpack player to ever earn the honor of being named the top freshman in the league. Perez then earned Third Team All-ACC honors at the end of the 2018 season.
"I'm really excited for Manny," NC State head coach George Kiefer said. "I like the fact that if you do well in the ACC, it opens doors both domestically and also in Europe. That's a big reason that if you're a top player looking to play college soccer, you should play in the ACC."
One of the most well-known clubs in European soccer, Celtic F.C. has won the Scottish Premiership 49 times and currently sits atop the league table with 51 points in 23 matches played.
#GoPack | @PackMensSoccer
Celtic F.C. Release | North Carolina FC Release
GLASGOW, Scotland – Manny Perez of the 24th-ranked NC State men's soccer team has officially signed a three-and-a-half-year contract to play professional soccer with Celtic F.C. of the Scottish Premiership, the club announced recently. As a part of the agreement, Perez has been loaned back to local club North Carolina FC of the United Soccer League (USL).
"This is a huge opportunity for me," Perez told GoPack.com. "A lot of people in my hometown are really happy for me and excited for me. It's the right move for the way that I want to continue my soccer development. Celtic is a great place to be and I'm very excited to continue my career as a soccer player."
"Being at NC State for two years has helped me so much and I'm absolutely going to miss this place a lot. I'm glad that the program has improved so much under some great coaching and I'm happy that I was a part of it. I'm excited for the future of NC State soccer and I wish the best of luck to all of the players coming in and to those who are creating that winning culture."
It is a huge honour to sign with @CelticFC , I love the energy that the club brings and it has the best fans in the world. I will be on loan with @NorthCarolinaFC and look forward to developing and bringing success to both clubs. pic.twitter.com/eqOSiitCiD
— Manny perez (@mannyP113) January 31, 2019
During two seasons with the Wolfpack, Perez played 29 official matches (28 starts), and scored six goals (three match-winners) while contributing nine assists. He was named ACC Freshman of the Year and Second Team All-ACC at the end of the 2017 season, becoming just the second Wolfpack player to ever earn the honor of being named the top freshman in the league. Perez then earned Third Team All-ACC honors at the end of the 2018 season.
"I'm really excited for Manny," NC State head coach George Kiefer said. "I like the fact that if you do well in the ACC, it opens doors both domestically and also in Europe. That's a big reason that if you're a top player looking to play college soccer, you should play in the ACC."
One of the most well-known clubs in European soccer, Celtic F.C. has won the Scottish Premiership 49 times and currently sits atop the league table with 51 points in 23 matches played.
#GoPack | @PackMensSoccer
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