Joseph Lapira

Name: 
Joseph Lapira
Club: 
Free Agent
Position: 
Striker & Attacking Midfielder
Date of Birth: 
6 August 1986
Age: 
25
Natural Foot: 
Right
Nationality: 
USA & IRELAND
Languages: 
English
Marital Status: 
Single
Height: 
5' 8"
Weight: 
155
Contract Expires: 
Free Agent
Wikipedia
Biography

Lapira graduated from St. Louis Catholic High School in Lake Charles, Louisiana. In 2006 he was the winner of the Hermann Trophy, awarded to the top collegiate player of the year, after scoring 22 goals for Notre Dame. During his college years, Lapira also played in the USL Premier Development League with Louisiana Outlaws, Lafayette Swamp Cats and most recently Baton Rouge Capitals.

Instead, Lapira was selected in the 3rd Round of the 2008 MLS SuperDraft by Toronto FC, but never signed a contract with Major League Soccer in order to pursue opportunities in Europe.
On April 1, 2008, Lapira signed with Norwegian Adeccoligaen side Nybergsund IL-Trysil, who play in the second tier after being promoted from the third tier in 2007. Lapira scored a brace in his Nybergsund debut, a 3-0 victory.

Lapira is a full international for the Republic of Ireland. He qualifies for the Republic by virtue of his Irish mother, and came to the attention of former Irish boss Steve Staunton. He gained a cap for Ireland on May 23, 2007 against Ecuador, becoming the first amateur player to play for Ireland since Willie Browne in 1964.