Former Uconn soccer star Larin has become instant sensation in La Liga

From the moment he saw him, former Uconn men’s soccer head coach Ray Reid knew that Cyle Larin was going to be a star.

But playing in the World Cup? Winning the MLS Rookie of the Year award, becoming an instant sensation in Spain’s La Liga? Would Reid have ever imagined that?

“Yes,” Reid said.

Oh. Well ... okay then.

Larin, a native of Brampton, Ontario, arrived at Uconn as a freshman in 2013, and two years later he became the second straight Husky (after goalkeeper Andre Blake) to be chosen No. 1 overall in the MLS Superdraft.

Fast-forward seven years, and the former Huskies’ star has become a cult hero for Real Valladolid in Spain, having scored three goals in four games since his arrival on a loan deal from Club Brugge in January.

His scoring impact has been so stark and dramatic that he’s become an instant fan favorite, with Valladolid’s social team running out of ways to describe his greatness.

“This man is insane,” a Feb. 20 tweet read.

Another has him depicted as The Hulk, with the caption “Cyle in Valladolid is a BEAST.”

“It’s impossible to do better,” read another.

Larin’s scoring spree has helped lift Real Valladolid out of the relegation zone in La Liga, with two wins and a draw since his arrival. In the five previous games before the former Uconn star got there, the team hadn’t scored a goal.

Two of Larin’s tallies were eventual match winners, coming after he had been subbed in from the bench. He’s in the starting lineup now and the team is up to 15th in the 20-team standings.

So what is it about Larin, who was an immediate starter at Uconn and scored 23 goals in two seasons,