KINGSTON, Jamaica – St Lucian top sprinter Julien Alfred has turned pro and inked a deal with German apparel manufacturer Puma.

Puma made the announcement via Instagram on Friday.

“Next Level Unlocked. Very excited to welcome @julien.alfred to the PUMA fam. #FOREVERFASTER,” Puma said.

Alfred is a phenomenal athlete with a remarkable track record on the collegiate level, where she secured five NCAA titles. She recently triumphed at the CAC Games in El Salvador.

To mark her first race in her professional career, Alfred handed American star Sha’Carri Richardson her first 100m defeat of the season at the Gyulai Istvan Memorial in Szekesfehervar in Hungary earlier this week.

She is set to compete in the women’s 200m at the Monaco Diamond League on Friday against the likes of the fastest woman alive in the event, Shericka Jackson of Jamaica, world leader Gabby Thomas of America, former world champion Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith and British champion Daryll Neita among others.