LOTTO Signs Teen Soccer Star to its First U.S. NIL Deal
Anwar Stetson
Italian sports brand LOTTO has signed 14-year-old American soccer phenom Loradana Paletta to its first U.S. Amateur NIL deal, it announced Thursday. Paletta, a native of Syosset, New York, currently plays midfielder for the U.S. Soccer U-16 Girls National Team. She is also a part of NYCFC’s Youth U14 Academy Boys Team.
The burgeoning midfielder is already making history. When she joined NYCFC she became the first girl to earn a spot on an MLS Academy team.
Prep Network contributor JR Eskilson calls Paletta “a technically gifted player who is capable of playing at a faster pace than most in the youth game,” adding that “her skill on the ball combined with her soccer smarts makes her a top midfielder.”
Paletta joins a brand roster that includes Seattle Reign star Sofia Huerta of the NWSL, MLS players Tim Parker and Kellyn Acosta, and U.S. National Team legend and broadcaster Stu Holden.
In a statement through LOTTO, Paletta said “I’m excited to help grow the brand in the U.S. alongside amazing athletes like Sofia, Kellyn, Tim, and Stu.”
In an interview with Indivisa, Paletta said she began playing soccer to beat her older brothers. “My older brothers are a really big part of my journey – I always wanted to beat them in everything,” she said.
Former MLS MVP Mike Magee helped facilitate the deal. Magee is LOTTO’s Head of Talent for U.S. Soccer.
Paletta will continue to punch above her weight on the pitch, as USA Soccer announced Thursday that Paletta will make her first appearance for the U-17 girls team at the 4 Nations Tournament on July 26 in Mexico City.
Born in 2011, Paletta is the youngest player on the roster.