Vedamanikam inks professional contract
Vedamanikam competing against Dortmund.ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Freshman Alex Vedamanikam of The University of New Mexico men’s soccer team has officially signed a professional contract to play for Eintracht Braunschweig of the Second Bundesliga in Germany. Vedamanikam’s road to the pros means he will depart the UNM squad immediately.
“I am really excited for Alex that he is following his dream,” head UNM coach Jeremy Fishbein said. “We’re going to miss him, he was a tremendous teammate and was a big part of our plans as a team moving forward. This is an outstanding opportunity which he felt he couldn’t pass up.
“Alex is an excellent student and his family values education. He will keep working toward a college degree and I am confident that he is going to be a really successful man.”
Vedamanikam will play in the Second Bundesliga. Members are constantly competing for promotion into the First Bundesliga, one of the top leagues in the world. The Bundesliga is comprised of world-class teams like FC Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
“Professional soccer in Germany is regarded as some of the finest in the world,” Fishbein said. “Their development system for young players is incredible, so it is a great opportunity for top American players to pursue a career in professional soccer.”
“This is an opportunity for me to continue with my dreams and goals in professional soccer,” Vedamanikam said. “My time at UNM has been very special to me, I was born and raised in Albuquerque. I remember when I was little, I would go and watch the Lobo soccer team and wanted to play with them. Getting the opportunity ro represent UNM and Albuquerque with the Lobos is something I will always cherish.”
While at UNM, Vedamanikam saw action in 16 games for a total of 523 minutes in his inaugural season. His first collegiate goal came in the Lobos’ 2-1 victory at home against CSUN on Sept. 8. He registered his first collegiate assist the game prior, at Marquette on Sept. 4.
His second assist came in UNM’s 1-1 tie against UCLA, when he assisted junior Aaron Herrera’s exciting midfield goal. Herrera recently signed a professional contract with MLS squad Real Salt Lake.
REPLAY | Great read by Herrera to see the keeper out on this goal to give Lobos a 1-0 lead on UCLA. #GoLobos pic.twitter.com/KYw5us6qKW
— Lobo Men’s Soccer (@UNMLoboMSoccer) October 19, 2017
“I want to thank God first and foremost for everything He has done in my life … I would like to thank my family, especially my dad, mom and brother, Joel, who are always there for me,” Vedamanikam said. “I thank Coach Fishbein and the UNM coaching staff for the great opportunity they have given me to play for UNM, it was an honor to play for the Lobos in my hometown.”