The Tacoma Stars have acquired Nick Perera from the Syracuse Silver Knights in exchange for future considerations and signed University Place native and former Pacific Lutheran forward Eddie Na.
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed per team and league policies.
Perera, captain of the United States Beach Soccer Team, began the Major Arena Soccer League season with the Silver Knights, scoring four goals and two assists in four games. He played the 2016-2017 MASL season with the Ontario Fury, scoring 17 goals and recording 16 assists in 15 games.
Perera brings vast experience to the Stars having been the Most Outstanding Offensive Player in the College Cup for UC Santa Barbara during its national championship run in 2006. From there, Perera has enjoyed a stellar indoor career for the San Diego Sockers, Milwaukee Wave, Ontario Fury, Syracuse Silver Knights, and now the Stars.
Perera has won championships in the indoor game, and his experience on the Futsal and Beach national teams is unparalleled.
“Nick brings lethal target play and veteran experience to our team and we are excited to welcome him to the Tacoma Stars,” said Darren Sawatzky, Stars coach and general manager. “We pride ourselves at being hard to play against and Nick fits this mentality while also bringing some needed target play and goal-scoring.”
After finishing his stellar career at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Na has signed his first professional contract with the Stars. Na is no stranger to head coach Sawatzky after playing for the Sounders U23 team and the Guam National Team, both squads Sawatzky has coached. Na finished his PLU career as a four-time Northwest Conference All-Star, the NWC Offensive Player of the Year two years running, and he was named to the NCAA Division III All-West Region Team.
A young, local striker with a penchant for goals, Na represents the future of the Stars program.
“Eddie is a young, hungry striker that grows with each season and each year. He has put his time in and has a great attitude and approach. It’s time for him to start fighting for minutes and scoring goals for our team,” Sawatzky said.
The Stars break for the holidays but get right back to the regular season with a home match against division rivals Ontario Fury on Friday, Jan. 5 at the accesso ShoWare Center.
Season ticket packages, group outings, family packs, and suite offerings for the Stars’ regular season are available at 1-844-STARS-84, or visit the Stars online at tacomastars.com.
Follow the Stars on Twitter (@TacomaStarsSC), Instagram (@thetacomastars), or liking the team on Facebook.
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