Lucas Daniel de la Torre Bio
Lucas Daniel de la Torre (born May 23, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for La Liga side Celta Vigo and the United States national team. Having begun his professional career with Fulham in the EFL Championship, he later played for Heracles in the Eredivisie and Celta Vigo in La Liga. A full international for the United States since 2018, he was selected for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Early Life and Background
Lucas de la Torre was born and raised in San Diego, California. He began playing soccer at a young age, joining local clubs such as Nomads and San Diego Surf. His early exposure to the sport laid the foundation for his future career. In 2013, he moved to England to join Fulham’s youth academy, marking a significant step in his development as a player.
Path to Soccer
De la Torre’s journey in soccer began with his involvement in youth teams, where he honed his skills and gained valuable experience. He made his professional debut for Fulham on August 9, 2016, in the EFL Cup against Leyton Orient. His first league appearance followed on October 28, 2017, in a Championship match against Bolton Wanderers. During his time at Fulham, he scored his only goal in an EFL Cup tie against Millwall on September 25, 2018.
Lucas Daniel de la Torre Career
Early Career (2016–2020)
After starting his professional career with Fulham, Lucas de la Torre played for the club until 2020. He made a notable impact during his time there, contributing to the team’s efforts in the EFL Championship. His performances earned him recognition and led to a move to Heracles Almelo in the Eredivisie, where he continued to develop his skills and gain valuable playing time.
Breakthrough (2020–Present)
On August 6, 2020, de la Torre signed a two-year deal with Heracles Almelo. He quickly made his mark in the Eredivisie, providing an assist in his debut and earning a spot in the Team of the Month for March 2021. His success at Heracles paved the way for a transfer to Celta Vigo in La Liga, where he signed a four-year contract on July 7, 2022. He made his debut for Celta Vigo on August 20, 2022, in a match against Real Madrid.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout his career, Lucas de la Torre has achieved several notable milestones, including being part of the United States national team that won the CONCACAF Nations League in 2023 and the CONCACAF U-20 Championship in 2017. He has also been recognized for his contributions on the field, including scoring his first La Liga goal against Osasuna on February 4, 2024.
Lucas Daniel de la Torre Award Nominations
Lucas de la Torre has been recognized for his performances at both the club and international levels, contributing to his team’s successes in various tournaments.
Lucas Daniel de la Torre Awards Won
Lucas de la Torre has achieved significant accolades throughout his career, including being part of the United States national team that was the runner-up in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2025 and winning the CONCACAF Nations League in 2023. He also played a crucial role in the United States U-20 team’s victory in the CONCACAF U-20 Championship in 2017.
Lucas Daniel de la Torre Family
Lucas de la Torre’s family background is notable, as both of his parents are scientists at research institutes in the San Diego area. His father’s Spanish heritage allowed him to obtain a Spanish passport, which facilitated his move to Europe at a young age.
Personal Life
Lucas de la Torre has shared that he did not learn Spanish until he arrived at Celta Vigo, but he has since become comfortable communicating in the language. He has a superstition of eating Galician octopus after every Celta Vigo victory, a tradition that reflects his connection to his club and its culture.
