Daytona, FL. Yan Diomande, a former standout at DME Academy, continues to shine as he advances his soccer career. At DME, Yan set the standard for excellence both on and off the field, showing the dedication and drive that define our elite soccer academy.

Now, his journey has taken him to Spain’s premier league, La Liga, where he has signed with C.D. Leganés. 

At DME Academy, Yan’s hard work and talent earned him national recognition. Top Drawer Soccer named him one of the ‘23 Male Players who Dominated in 2023. Additionally, he made his mark in the UPSL Soccer Playoffs by scoring in all six rounds and winning the coveted Playoffs Golden Boot. These achievements reflect the strength of his determination and the quality of our programs.

C.D. Leganés

Yan, an 18-year-old Ivorian striker, now joins the Leganés family with exceptional speed, skill, and vision. As a former U-17 international for the Ivory Coast, he is ready to compete with the best talent in European soccer. His drive and technical abilities will undoubtedly make him a valuable addition to the team.

Yan’s Gratitude and Drive

Reflecting on his path, Yan shared: “I’m very grateful for this opportunity and want to thank everyone involved in making it happen. I’m fully committed and can’t wait to get started.”

DME Academy: Your Path to Soccer Excellence

As an elite soccer academy, DME is dedicated to nurturing the potential of every student-athlete. From our comprehensive training programs to the supportive environment we create, we equip players with the tools they need to excel. Yan’s success is a testament to the opportunities and guidance we provide to help our athletes reach their highest aspirations.

Ready to Ignite Your Soccer Dreams?

Ready to elevate your game? Speak with a Student Advisor today to discover how DME can guide you to success. Click here to get started!

Daytona Beach, FL – DME Academy is excited to announce the hiring of Thales Peterson as Head Soccer Coach. Peterson is set to take over the reins of DME Academy’s fast-growing soccer program on May 15th. Peterson brings a wealth of soccer experience to the program and possesses strong leadership qualities that had him pegged for the position. 

Peterson comes to DME Academy with an impressive coaching background. He has been coaching at various youth and professional levels for decades and holds a USSF A License. 

Peterson began his career as an Assistant Coach at the Empire Strykers (then named the Ontario Fury) in Ontario, California, and spent 13 years with FC Golden State, helping to build the youth program from scratch. Today, the club features thousands of players, many of which are MLS Next status. After his tenure with the Empire Strykers, Peterson was named head coach for the professional soccer club, Los Angeles Force, which plays in the National Independent Soccer Association out of Los Angeles, California. Most recently, he was the Girls Director and Head Coach at an ECNL-R club in the Sarasota, Florida area. Peterson is well-respected in the soccer community and has a proven track record of developing players and producing winning teams.

“We are thrilled to have Thales Peterson join the DME Academy family as our Head Soccer Coach,” said Todd Eason, Director of Soccer at DME Academy. “His extensive coaching experience, passion for the game, and commitment to player development make him the perfect fit for our program. His Brazilian roots and international ties will aid us in continuing to bring the best players from around the world to the fields at DME in Daytona.”

Peterson is equally excited about the opportunity to lead the DME Academy soccer program. 

I’m excited to work with a professional staff, at a state-of-the-art facility, and with high-level aspiring athletes. With dedication, the right mindset, and execution, you can achieve all your goals. I’m honored to help ignite the dream and make a positive impact on the lives of so many student-athletes.” 

The DME Academy soccer program is known for its commitment to excellence, both academically and athletically. With Peterson at the helm, the soccer program is positioned to continue its upward trajectory and achieve even greater success.

About DME Academy

DME Academy is a private school in Daytona Beach, FL that offers a rigorous academic curriculum for grades 6-12. The school also has several highly competitive athletic programs, including soccer, basketball, volleyball, and baseball. DME Academy is committed to developing well-rounded student-athletes who are prepared to excel both on and off the field.

Todd Eason at the Forefront of Creating a Competitive Soccer Program at DME Academy

Todd Eason, Director of Soccer at DME, has been at the forefront of assembling the perfect team to compete at the middle-school level for girls soccer in the upcoming 2022-2023 season. DME is extremely excited to have these amazing athletes representing the Academy on and off the field. This group will up their competition and bring their talent to the national stage, and will be a force to be reckoned with across the country. 

The new DME Academy girls’ team consists of 11 of the top 7th graders in the Florida area. Remember these names because you’ll be hearing about them a lot in the upcoming years. 

 “DME Academy has been super excited to see our middle school girls’ soccer program evolve over the last year to a full team for the 2022-23 season,” said athletic director Laura Stegall. “Todd has put in countless hours developing this roster and it is exciting to see the program come to fruition. I look forward to watching these ladies compete.”

Some of the girls- Cora Wingard and Payton Robinson to name a few – will be representing DME as full-time student-athletes in the fall of 2022, where they will be able to take classes online and focus on their soccer skills. Riley Doran’s family has also done a lot to help with the recruitment efforts for this upcoming season. 

“I’m pleased to announce and be associated with the first middle school team to represent DME Academy,” said Eason. “Our coaching staff has worked hard on identifying some of the most talented young players in our community. With the combination of our returning players and the seven new additions, I look forward to seeing this group compete at an extremely high level. Our focus on academics, character development and training regiment will bring much deserved attention and opportunities for our young student-athletes.”

If you’re interested in joining our soccer family, improve your game and see why DME is an academy on the rise, click here to learn more about all of our soccer programs.