Happy “Juan”uary! Season 18 of “The Bachelor” is finally here and ABC viewers are ecstatic to watch 32-year-old Juan Pablo Galavis make history as the first Bachelor who is Latino. The single dad and former soccer stud may be on top of the world right now with 27 girls fighting for his heart, but the hunk first had to get his heart broken on “The Bachelorette.”

Fans of the ABC dating series will remember that Juan Pablo was a contestant vying for Desiree Hartsock during her summer 2013 season. Although he instantly charmed the 27-year-old with his accent and physique, it wasn’t enough to get a one-on-one date with the brunette beauty. Going on countless group dates with the other guys, Juan Pablo’s time on “The Bachelorette” finally arrived in Barcelona in episode 6.

Surviving the elimination in Munich in episode 5, the Barcelona group date was right up Juan Pablo’s alley -- a soccer match! While the date was initially the guys goofing around on the field at a professional soccer stadium, things got serious when Des revealed that the men would joining forces as a team … to play against her and a professional woman’s soccer team. Soccer star Juan Pablo was able to knock in two goals, but an unenthused James kicked in 10 goals, leading Desiree’s team to victory.

The episode was drama-packed thanks to James and the accusations that he was using the show to become the next Bachelor and to meet women. With Desiree upset about the possibility of being duped by a man she thought she had a connection with, she decided not to have a cocktail party and instead to head right into the rose ceremony. Chris and Brooks (who were the final two contestants in the end) received the first two roses in episode 6, leaving Desiree to eliminate James, Kasey and Juan Pablo.

Juan Pablo was announced as the next “Bachelor” during the “After the Rose” special. “No guy has made greater impact with less screen time,” host Chris Harrison explained as the crowd of females erupted in cheers.

This season of “The Bachelor” will follow Juan Pablo as he searches for the lucky lady who not only loves him but must also love his 4-year-old daughter, Camilla.

“I am confident I will definitely find my future wife and stepmom for Camilla,” Juan Pablo said in August of his new role. “And I’m ready for it.”

“The Bachelor” premieres on Monday, Jan. 6, at 8 p.m. on ABC. Will you be tuning in? Let us know in the comments section or send a tweet to @AmandaTVScoop.

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