Former Nine Stripe Luca Gasparotto Joins Humber Hawks
By Former York United defender Luca Gasparotto may have retired from the professional game, but the apprentice arborist can still be found on the pitch as a student-athlete while pursuing his education with Humber College.
The 26-year-old’s final professional appearance came for York United last year at The Island Games, with the Canadian defender departing from the Nine Stripes with 41 appearances, two goals, and one assist under his belt. He was the only Canadian Premier League athlete to play every single possible minute across the league’s opening two seasons.
Gasparotto’s decision to leave the professional game behind was a financial one, with the defender’s contract renewals having reached a quick impasse after the 2020 season. He had worked a landscaping job prior to that campaign, but rather than juggling multiple gigs to make ends meet he decided to secure a more stable and long-term income as an arborist.
The new Humber Hawks recruit made over 150 appearances throughout his professional playing career, playing in Scotland for the Glasgow Rangers, Stirling Albion, Airdrieonians, Falkirk, and Greenock Morton before his final playing stint with York United in Canada.
He had also appeared for Canada at the U-17, U-20, and U-23 levels and had been hoping for a new opportunity with the senior national team before opting to leave the pro game behind.
Whenever you get a player of Luca’s calibre, you’re excited for the potential of what he can bring to our program. He has some exceptional club experience and he’ll be a leader on and off the pitch for us.
Humber Hawks Head Coach Michael Aquino
While college football will be quite a different experience than when the former Rangers man played at Ibrox Stadium, Gasparotto mentioned that he was quite excited to live the student-athlete experience during his time at Humber.
His arboreal career is already well underway, with the 26-year-old receiving training from Stewart Services Tree Care this year.
The Humber Hawks men’s soccer team have made a string of high-profile additions this month, bringing in former TFC II midfielder Luca Ucello and three-time CCAA national champion Marcos Nunes.
The Humber Hawks will begin their 2021 OCAA men’s soccer season this Friday with an away game against George Brown. Gasparotto’s first home game as a student-athlete will be against Seneca on September 22.