Sacramento State alumni Max Alvarez is trading in his green and gold jersey for a white and red one.

Alvarez, who played four years for the Sacramento State men’s soccer team recently signed a contract with Sacramento Republic FC soccer club.

Republic FC is a professional soccer team that was founded in 2012. They are expected to make their United Soccer League pro debut this year.

After the signing, Alvarez got a lot of calls and texts from friends and family. Among those was from Michael Linenberger, head coach of the Sac State men’s soccer team.

“He congratulated me,” Alvarez said. “ I thanked him for everything he has done for me, because he was a big part of my career. Ever since I joined Sac State he has been supporting me, and still supports me and I have a lot to thank him for.”

Alvarez began his career as a Hornet with a bang. In his freshman year he recorded 10 goals, ranking third all-time in Sac State history. He also tallied 23 points that same year, ranking fourth all-time.

In the same season he was a member of the Soccer America all-freshman team, as well as awarded second team all-MPSF honors.

Linenberger discussed the challenges that transition from playing college soccer to professional, but he thinks Alvarez is focused and ready to make the most of it.

“It is a huge step up,” Linenberger said. “He has this good opportunity ahead of him. He is very dedicated in his approach to training and nutrition and taking care of himself. I think he has the right mentality.”

Alvarez was invited to training camp by Republic FC after they held open tryouts last November. Republic FC does not have a home field yet, but plans to build a soccer facility on the grounds at Cal Expo for the start of the 2014 season in April.

Alvarez is not the only player from Sac State with ties to Sac Republic. Former goalkeeper Bryan Oliver, as well as Diego Marroquin, who is still attending Sac State, are both in training camp hoping to make the roster. Alvarez noted his chemistry with Marroquin and hopes he will be able to join him.

“He is showing a lot and has the potential,” Alvarez said. “As long as he keeps that up, he has a good shot.”

Alvarez is a native of Napa, Calif. During his senior season with Napa High School, he scored 42 goals on his way to becoming the 2008 Napa player of the year.

This is not Alvarez’s first taste of professional soccer. Prior to beginning his final season with the Hornets, he played for FC Tucson during the summer break. In his 15 games with the Tucson Desert Ninjas, Alvarez recorded one goal and two assists.

It will however be a change of pace. FC Tucson plays in the USL Premier Development League, but Republic FC is getting ready to play in the USL Pro.

Making the team and staying on the team are two very different things, and according to Alvarez’s current coach Predrag Radosavljevic says he is in complete control of the outcome.

“I am expecting him to work hard every day, and to get better everyday,” Radosavljevic said. If he can do that he will find himself on the team. It’s going to be totally up to him.”

In addition to being the star of Sac Republic’s new promotional video, entitled “Goal,” Alvarez, along with many of the Republic players are planning on shaving their heads for St. Baldricks Hospital. Some of the members are volunteering, others are new players. Being a rookie on a team certainly has its pitfalls.

“I’m not looking forward to it,” Alvarez said. “I already had something in mind for the season and those plans went down the drain, but it’s for a good cause.”

Sac Republic will begin their season on March 29, but they will be making their home debut at Cal Expo on April 26.

Daniel Harrison can be reached on Twitter @DanHarrison88