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Trio Sign First Pro Contracts

Trio of Former Peoria City Players Ink First Pro Contracts

PEORIA, IL – Following last month’s selection of former Peoria City player Abdel Talabi by Inter Miami CF in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft, Peoria City’s list of alumni in professional soccer grew by three more this week with the respective club announcements that Quinten Blair, Charlie Dickerson and Camron Lawrence all signed their first professional contracts.

     Marconi Stallions FC, which competes in the New South Wales division of Australia’s NPSL, announced Blair’s addition Saturday (Instagram post). Blair anchored Peoria City’s backline during the first half of the 2025 USL League Two season before the Carp released him for a trial with MLS club St. Louis City. During the fall, he earned United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region First Team honors while leading Saint Louis to the NCAA Division I College Cup Final.

     A two-year team captain for Peoria City the last two summers, Dickerson has been signed by USL League One club Westchester SC (Instagram post). In between his last two college seasons, Dickerson helped the Carp reach the 2024 USL League Two Playoffs Final and a return trip to the playoffs in 2025. After transferring from Bradley to Providence for his final collegiate season last fall, Dickerson earned USC All-East Region Third Team honors after helping the Friars reach the Big East Conference Tournament.

     Lawrence teamed with Talabi, both with Peoria City during the summer of 2023 and throughout his collegiate career at Bryant University, where the duo was coached by Peoria City’s first manager, Ruben Resendes. Lawrence has signed with Union Omaha in USL League One (Announcement).

     Peoria City has completed four seasons in USL League Two, the nation’s top pre-professional men’s soccer league and marketed as the pathway to professional soccer. With the three latest signings, Peoria City already has produced 13 players to advance into the professional ranks around the world.

Name at Peoria City 1st Pro Signing Current
Abasa Aremeyaw 2024 2024 - Al-Tehami (Saudia Arabia) Gulf United FC (UAE)
Quinten Blair 2025 2026 - Marconi Stallions FC (Australia NPL-NSW) Marconi Stallions FC (Australia NPL-NSW)
Gevork Diarbian 2022 2024 - New England Revolution II N.E. Revolution II (MLS NEXT Pro)
Charlie Dickerson 2024, 2025 2026 - Westchester SC (USL League One) Westchester SC (USL 1)
Camron Lawrence 2023 2026 - Union Omaha (USL League One) Union Omaha (USL 1)
Jonas Lyshøj 2023, 2024 2024 - Hilleröd Fodbold (Betinia Liga) BK Fremad Amager (Denmark 2.Division)
Pepe Mellado 2024 2024 - Atletico Saguntino (Spain) ---
Rimi Olatunji 2022 2023 - Forge FC (Canada Premier League) ---
Christian Ortiz 2023 2024 - Arizona Monsoon (NISA) AV Alta FC (USL League One)
Danail Sergiev 2023, 2024 2024 - Minyor Pernik (Vtora Liga) Chicago Nation FC (UPSL)
Abdel Talabi 2023 2026 - TBD #30 MLS SuperDraft (Inter Miami CF)
Kevin Vang 2022 2023 - Rhode Island FC (USL Championship) Rhode Island FC (USL Championship)
Justin Wilson 2023, 2024 2023 - Taipei Vikings (Taiwan) ---

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“Peoria will play home to future stars of American soccer.”
- Jim DeRose, Bradley University Head Soccer Coach

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