Corpus Christi FC’s first professional signing and captain brings consistency, leadership, and international experience to the club’s inaugural season.
By Corpus Christi FC Communications Intern, Isabella Skinner
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS (August 25, 2026) — When the Sharks began their inaugural professional season in January, Coach Eamon Zayed made a “no-brainer” move and brought midfielder Paddy Langlois on as the first professional signing in the club’s history.
Langlois was born in San Diego, California, and moved to Newcastle, Australia, when he was six weeks old. He is, in every way that counts, an Australian-raised soccer player. Growing up, Langlois found his love for soccer through his hometown team, Newcastle Jets FC, where, from the age of six, he and his brother would attend games and stay afterward for player autographs.
“My family moved states for 4 years in primary school and we would still be proudly wearing our Jets jerseys any opportunity we could get. So to eventually play for my hometown is something I am very proud of,” Langlois said.
Through hard work, he worked his way up to the U14s, playing for the Newcastle Jets Academy for two years before being released and continuing to train and compete with his state school team and local clubs. He was eventually signed to the reserves and began training with the first team at 17 before making his professional debut at 19.
While playing in Newcastle, Langlois experienced players of all ages and levels working toward the same goal. As a younger player, he worked to earn his place while competing against older and more experienced players, preparing himself for any opportunity that came his way. Following his time in Newcastle, he went on to play for both Hume City FC and South Melbourne FC.
Meanwhile, in 2021, Coach Eamon Zayed was brought on as the first head coach of USL League One side Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC. For the next three years, Zayed’s assistant coach, Colin Falvey, would pursue Langlois in hopes of bringing him to the United States, which he ultimately did in 2024. That season, Langlois and Zayed went on to win the inaugural USL Jägermeister Cup together as part of Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC.
“As a coach, the biggest thing you look for in certain positions is consistency. Knowing you will get at least an 8/10 every week in that position. That’s what Paddy brought,” Zayed said.
Following his time with Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC, Langlois joined Portland Hearts of Pine for the club’s inaugural USL League One season, ultimately scoring the first league goal in club history. Then, on January 21, 2026, Langlois signed with Corpus Christi FC, reuniting with Zayed.
“Bringing him to Corpus Christi was a no-brainer. The biggest difference I’ve seen in Paddy’s evolution as a player from Colorado to Corpus Christi is his leadership not just ON the field but also OFF the field. I think leaving Colorado and spending the 2025 season in Portland where he was one of their team captains amongst a massive fan base and a community where players are recognized on a daily basis wherever you go has helped that also,” Zayed said.
Since arriving in Corpus Christi, Langlois has started all 23 of his appearances, logging 2,070 minutes, scoring once with six shots on target and taking on the responsibility of captaining the Sharks through their inaugural professional season.
“Finding out I was being announced as first signing and captain were two very huge honours,” Langlois said. “I felt a lot of gratitude and was fortunate that I had been given the privilege. Both times when I was told the news I was straight on the phone to my parents, because it’s not often you get to be part of history.”
As the only one of his siblings born in America, Langlois was given a unique opportunity to pursue his career in the United States. When given the chance, he took it and made the most of it.
“Being in a different country there are always different cultures, but fortunately football is a language that is spoken all over the world so once we step on the field, football does the talking,” Langlois said. “It is also nice that there are a few boys that have moved from overseas, so we can share experiences knowing that we are all going through similar journeys.”
From living near the beach to the group he shares the field with, Langlois has enjoyed settling into Corpus Christi.
“I have really enjoyed my time in Corpus so far. It is hard to complain when you move somewhere that during winter you can get away with wearing only shorts and a t-shirt,” Langlois said. “We have a great group of lads, and most importantly a very resilient group.”
That resilience has defined Corpus Christi’s inaugural season. After enduring a difficult start to the year, the Sharks have steadily climbed back into the playoff conversation, turning early-season adversity into a push toward the postseason.
Through it all, Langlois continues to turn to the two role models who have been there from the beginning: his parents.
“I look up to both my Mum and Dad every day and they are a big part of why I am where I am today,” Langlois said. “Both raised me and were examples everyday to be disciplined, dream big, set goals and if you want to achieve those dreams you have to plan, be dedicated and sacrifice.”
From a kid waiting after Newcastle Jets matches for autographs to the first player signed in Corpus Christi FC’s professional history, Langlois’ career has taken him across countries, clubs and continents. Now, with the captain’s armband in Corpus Christi, he has the chance to help build the kind of club young supporters can grow up dreaming of playing for themselves.
About Corpus Christi FC
CCFC was established in 2017 by Dr. Kingsley Okonkwo. The club previously played in USL League Two, the nation’s leading pre-professional league, and won their first Lone Star Division title in 2024. That same year, Corpus Christi was awarded a USL League One franchise and will kick off its first professional season in 2026. CCFC is building a new home at the Corpus Christi Multi-Sport Complex currently being constructed at 5102 Old Brownsville Road. Phase One of the $28.3 million complex was completed in summer 2025 and a 5,000-seat stadium, which will serve as home for all of the Sharks’ USL League One home games, is currently under construction.
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