“It’s a great feeling to have earned my first professional contract, especially here at home in the Valley,” Casillas said. “This is very special to me and I want to thank Fresno FC for the opportunity to pursue my dreams.”

“Diego is a local player that kept knocking on the door and we’re happy to see him finally break through and join our USL side,” said head coach Adam Smith. “He’s done well every single time he’s been called in with our U23s and as a trialist at the end of last season and this preseason. He’s a player that has an extremely big heart and his attitude towards advancing his game will continue to carry him forward.”

A former standout at Monache High School in Porterville, Casillas played two years at Taft College and then two years for the CSU San Bernardino Coyote’s men’s soccer program. He scored a team-high seven goals during his senior year. In 2018, Casillas played in all 13 matches for the Fresno FC U23s, leading the club in minutes played (904), shots on goal (22), and goals scored (4).