Former Oakland men's soccer standouthas signed with York9 Football Club (FC) which is one of seven founding clubs to play in the highly-anticipated Canadian Premier League (CPL) professional men's soccer league set to debut in Spring 2019."We are all very proud of Austin and the Ricci family on signing his first professional contract with York9 FC in the exciting new CPL starting up this spring," said Oakland head men's soccer coach,. "Austin had a fantastic four years at Oakland that included three conference championships and three NCAA Tournament games. "He is a tremendously powerful, athletic, dynamic and talented attacker that has a knack for finding the back of the net which is always coveted at any level," added Pogue. "We are excited to follow his professional career with York9 FC located less than four hours from campus. It will be great to get out to support Austin this spring and summer in his first season."Ricci, a Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada native, scored 22 career goals with seven assists while helping Oakland to consecutive NCAA appearances and Horizon League Tournament titles 2014 and 2015. Ricci was also a two-time Horizon League first team selection, named league Co-Offensive Player of the Year as a sophomore in 2015 and National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-Great Lakes Regional Third Team as a junior in 2016."Just having our own professional league that allows players to develop is the first part of being a country that regularly qualifies for the World Cup," said Ricci. "It means players don't have to go overseas, don't have to get visas, don't have to be internationals everywhere, and they can be comfortable. It all starts with the league."