Christian Lomeli was at a crossroads when IU men's soccer concluded its 2016 season.
Should he turn professional? Should he go into coaching? He also still needed about a year of school to finish up his degree. The Crown Point, Indiana, native certainly had options, but figuring out what was best was going to be the challenge.
On Thursday, he finalized his choice.
He was turning pro.
Lomeli signed his first professional contract with the Indy Eleven of the NASL, the team announced. He posted four shutouts in seven starts after winning the job late last season.
"Adding a player like Christian creates competition and provides an opportunity for him to grow like Keith [Cardona] has under the guidance of one of the most experienced teachers of the game that you can find in Jon Busch,” Indy Eleven head coach Tim Hankinson said in a release. “Getting depth at key positions is always important. We are a senior team, so bringing in young talent that comes in with new energy and ambition is vital in building our fire.”
Lomeli, who did an extensive interview with TheHoosier.com's Sam Beishuizen on "The Tall Trio" last month, is expected to come in and immediately be the team's third goalkeeper.
All told, Lomeli said he took extensive time off from training after his senior season not expecting to play professionally. The opportunity to play with the Indy Eleven came mostly out of nowhere, he said.
But he'll take the opportunity.
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