Mililani High School senior Renato Torquato has signed a letter of intent Friday to play soccer next year at UC Irvine.

Torquato, a four-year letterwinner and two-year starter for the Trojans, was joined by parents Antonio and Simone, along with Mililani coach Jeff Yamamoto and school principal Dr. John Brummel, in a small signing ceremony at the school.

"It's been a long process and it's been worth it, to be able to play Division I, which has been my dream since I was a kid," said Torquato, who is originally from Brazil.

He said he choose the Southern California school, in part, because of the warm, year-round weather.

"I just really like the area and it's really similar to where I came from in Brazil," Torquato said.

Yamamoto said that Torquato's contributions to his team have been numerous over the years.

"He tried very hard from the very beginning," Yamamoto said. "He's a playmaker and right now everything goes through him offensively and he's a tough defender, too, but really, he's the offensive engine for us."

Torquato, who switches between the forward and midfield positions, has scored seven goals this season for Mililani (9-0-1), which finished tied atop the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red West with Kapolei.

"He's a high-quality player," Yamamoto said. "He's very creative, he's a technical player and I think he will be a real asset for UC Irvine. He's very deserving, I'm very thrilled for him."

Torquato, who hopes to major in social sciences, is the first Trojan player to sign with a Division I school since Justin Kim (Saint Mary's) in 2004, according to Yamamoto.

The Anteaters won the Big West Conference Tournament last season and finished 16-6-1 in 2011, reaching the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

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