Ryan Hastie of Nottingham, England, has become the first international signee for the University of Houston-Victoria men's soccer program.

Hastie will become a member of the Jaguars' inaugural soccer program that will begin play in August, after signing a letter of intent this week.

"This is a unique opportunity of being at the start of a new era for me," Hastie said of his coming to UHV.

Hastie has played centre back at the Nottingham Emmanuel school team for the past seven years and currently serves as captain of the team. He was also a member of the Pelican Football Club from 2006-07 where he played centre mid, and was the top scorer for the West Bridgford Dynamos during the 2004-05 season. Hastie is currently a member of Team DNF.

"Ryan will be a big addition and should make an immediate impact with the team," UHV soccer coach Adrian Rigby said.

Rigby also announced the signing of three other players to the men's program, Jesus Amaya of Brownsville, Jael Barrera of Dallas, and Martin Bautista.

Amaya, is a graduate of Brownsville Lopez High School and played on the Lobos' 2009 Class 5A state runner-up team.

"UHV has given me the opportunity to keep playing soccer, but now at the college level," Amaya said. "At the same time it also allows me to continue my education, which is really important."

Barrera is a graduate of Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Magnet Center and currently plays for the FC Dallas U18 junior team. He attended the U.S. Soccer Development Academy during the 2008-09 season in the U 17-18 division.

Barrera has also been a member of the North Texas state team for four years and a member of the ODP Region 3 team having travelled to Florida, Argentina and Europe to play.

Bautista, who hails from Montevideo, Uruguay, played for Alief Taylor and helped guide the Lions to a second-place finish in District 18-5A this past season and into the bi-district playoffs.

He was named the 18-5A Defensive MVP and earned first team all-district honors twice. He was also a member of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy during the 2008-09 season in the U 17-18 division.

"The team continues to come together and with Jesus, Jael, and Martin, along with Ryan, we have a good nucleus to work around," Rigby said.