After Nicholas Bianchi, another US-American joins FC Pinzgau Saalfelden. Juan Alvarez has been in Pinzgau since Wednesday and will lace up his soccer boots for Markus Fürstaller’s team in the spring of 2023. The 18-year-old, who was part of the U.S. national team in the U15 and U17, comes from Seattle Sounders FC – Alvarez was most recently on duty for Tacoma Defiance – and wants to take his next important step in Austria.
Last season, two players, Sota Kitahara and Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez, already found their way from the Seattle Sounders to the Salzburg Regionalliga. After their return to America, the duo was able to inspire nationally – the “intermediate step” FC Pinzgau Saalfelden has undoubtedly paid off. The transfer of offensive player Alvarez further intensifies the existing relationship with the Major League Soccer club. This excellent and long-term exchange, should also bring common points of contact in the future.
“We are excited to have Juan join us this week. A super guy who will make us more multifaceted and unpredictable in the offensive game – we are all convinced of that. We’ll get an impression of him in training over the next few days and push ahead with a fast integration process. You can see that our cooperation and exchange with American clubs is getting better and better – we will be able to benefit from this even more in the future,” explains FCPS coach Markus Fürstaller.
“I chose to come to Saalfelden because I’ve always wanted to play in Europe. I also came to better myself as a soccer player and as a person. I have high expectations for the club, I know we will make it far. I know it won’t be easy, but I know the team is up for it. The goals I have set myself is to play in a first division team and to play in Europe with a big club. I am extremely excited about Austria. I am looking forward to learn about the culture. I have already seen how beautiful the country is, so I want to keep exploring,” reports Juan Alvarez.