STATESBORO, Ga. – Former Nova Southeastern men’s soccer defender Curtis Thorn has added another notch to his resume, signing a professional contract recently with South Georgia Tormenta FC of the United Soccer League (USL) League One.
Scheduled to complete his graduate degree in December, Thorn finished his second and final season with the Sharks in 2019, earning All-South Region honors from the D2CCA and United Soccer Coaches. Originally from Bordon, Hampshire, England, Thorn was a team captain and All-Sunshine State Conference first-teamer, logging 17 starts in 18 appearances as a defender for the Sharks in 2019, scoring six points on two goals and two assists and providing a steady presence for the Sharks with a team second-most 1,547 minutes of game action. In Spring 2020, Thorn was awarded the men’s soccer Ultimate Shark Award (MVP). In total through 33 matches, Thorn recorded 14 points with four goals and six assists during his two seasons at NSU.
“It’s been a dream that my dad and I have been working towards ever since I was a young kid,” Thorn said. “The long drives and hours spent getting better seem unquestionable and something that is just a part of the process to make it where you want in life. I’d never imagined by the age of 24, I would have secured a professional soccer contract and be close to graduating with a Master’s in Business Administration. This all comes down to the help and guidance I have had with Coach Watts – Gaffer. He has truly helped me with so many more things than just soccer, of course he has done a great job developing me as a player but the small details that he has taught me allowed me to differentiate myself from others. Within the soccer program, a blue-collar mentality is a part of the process we stick by. It drove me towards the person I am today, waking up early, getting things done and repeat the following day. I’m more than excited to showcase my ability within the professional game and I truly believe this is just the start for me. A big thank you goes to Matt Watts and James Moore for preparing me and of course NSU, a college that trusted me and allowed me to start my American journey. Trust the Process.”
Thorn drew the organization’s attention not only by his strength for the Sharks, but also his play last summer as a staple in Tormenta FC 2’s defense last season in the amateur developmental USL League Two, earning nine regular-season clean sheets, and helping the team to the Deep South Division title and its first Southern Conference title – Thorn recorded one assist and seven shots in 16 games played. In 2018, Thorn played in the National Premier Soccer League with the New Orleans Jesters and was named Most Valuable Player.
“Curtis is another top player we’ve plucked from our USL League Two environment,” TFC Head Coach John Miglarese said of the signing. “He performed exceptionally well during the 2019 season and was due to play for Tormenta FC 2 this summer, but COVID-19 got in the way. He has trained with us all summer and has shown he is more than ready for the jump to USL League One. I expect him to feature regularly over the coming months.”
Thorn’s signing with Tormenta brings the Sharks’ count to four former players currently playing professionally in the American system – OT Bah for Miami FC (USL Championship), Ally Hassan for New York Cosmos (USL Championship) and Darwin Lom for Chattanooga FC (NISA)
To keep up with all the latest on NSU Sharks men’s soccer, follow the program on both Instagram and Twitter @NSU_MSoccer, as well as on Facebook at /NSUSharksMensSoccer.
