Sebastian Soto is hanging up his playing shoes at the age of 25.
Soto revealed the news on his Instagram account on Monday, ending his six-year pro career. The former US youth national team talent has been without a club since his contract with Austrian club Austria Klagenfurt was terminated by mutual consent in October 2024.
A native of California, Soto spent time in the youth systems of both the San Diego Surf and Real Salt Lake before moving to Hanover, Germany. Soto was committed to playing collegiately at the University of California-Berkeley, but decided to turn pro instead. He made his senior debut for Hannover in 2019 and went on to make five appearances for the club.
Soto later moved to English side Norwich City, but never made his senior debut there during his two years under contract. He impressed for Dutch side Telstar while on loan, scoring seven goals in twelve appearances.
Soto was also loaned out to Porto’s B team and to Scottish side Livingston, but he scored just one goal in 20 combined appearances between the two clubs.
After joining Austria Klagenfurt in 2022, Soto found playing time difficult to come by, while also battling several injuries along the way. He scored once in 18 appearances for the first team, while also making four appearances for the second team.
Soto played for several US youth national teams and was instrumental for the USMNT U-20s at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He scored six goals in eleven games for the U-20s before making his senior debut under Gregg Berhalter later in November 2020.
Soto scored twice on his debut in a 6-2 friendly win over Panama. He also played a friendly against Wales, but that would prove to be his first international appearance.
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