RICHMOND, Ky. – Former Eastern Kentucky University women's soccer standout Nerea de Diego has signed a professional contract with Racing de Santander of the Segunda Division in Spain, fulfilling a lifelong dream.
 
de Diego, who graduated following the 2024 season, is the first EKU women's soccer player to sign a professional contract after completing her collegiate career.
 
"We are thrilled for Nerea. She had a decorated and celebrated college career here at EKU and will continue to represent us well in the pro ranks," said EKU head women's soccer coach Matt Cosinuke. "As the program continues to grow, we expect others to follow in her footsteps, but to be the first is very special and very difficult. We wish her nothing but the best moving forward and are excited to watch her career develop."
 
One of the most decorated players in program history, de Diego made an immediate impact in 2021 by earning the program's first national postseason award, United Soccer Coaches (USC) All-South Region honors. That same year, she was named Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year and earned a spot on the All-OVC Second Team after posting three goals, two assists, and a 67 percent shot-on-target rate.
 
From 2022 to 2024, de Diego appeared in 36 additional matches, guiding the Colonels to three Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament appearances from her midfield role. During that span, she recorded two goals, one assist and took 37 shots. She was also named Third Team All-ASUN as a junior.
 
A native of Spain, de Diego was a four-time all-conference honoree and one-time all-tournament selection in her career. She helped lead EKU to 35 wins while touting the maroon and white. 
 
Prior to EKU, de Diego competed semi-professionally in her home country and was an all-league performer. She trained with the Spanish National Team in Summer 2021.