VCU men's soccer alumnus Gerardo Castillo, a member of the Rams' 2024 graduating class, will begin his first professional season with Asociación Deportiva San Carlos of the Primera División of Costa Rica, the top professional football division in Costa Rica.
 
The San Jose, Costa Rica, native spent three seasons with the Rams, guiding them to a 2023 regular season Atlantic 10 Championship as a first-team All-Conference defender. He was also named to the A-10 All-Rookie team as a freshman in 2022.
 
A staple of VCU's back line, the Rams' captain made 42 starts across 45 games, compiling 3,600 minutes and contributing 13 points, three goals and seven assists over his career in Black and Gold. Castillo played a full 90 in eight of VCU's matches in his final season and tallied a full 90 in 31 matches over the course of his career.
 
His pair of goals in 2024 was a career best, one of which was a game-winner against No. 15 nationally-ranked Wake Forest in the Rams' season opener. Castillo also added an olimpico goal in the 85^th minute of the Rams' draw with High Point.
 
The left back will return to his native Costa Rica and join the Liga Promerica's Clausura 2025 season. San Carlos is scheduled to open its season on Saturday, Jan. 11 against Deportivo Saprissa.