EXTRA: Roster update Mexico
By Carlos Del Riego
FIFA Informer provides an in depth look at major transfer in Mexican 1 division. The transfers will also be included in the official roster update on Xbox 360 and Playstation 3.
The arrival of former Atlas striker Robert De Pinho from unsuccessful stints in Europe and Saudi Arabia, he comes to Monterrey in hopes to return to former glories, so do veteran striker Jared Borgetti and former national coach Ricardo LaVolpe. The biggest mexican name switching colors is Fernando Arce, a starter with the national team was sold from Morelia to Santos to avoid him signing with big guns America or Guadalajara, in a very MLB-esque deal, involving two youngsters joining Monarcas in exchange for him. 2007 goalscoring champion Javier Campora joined strugglers Puebla along with several other Jaguares players. Tigres stalwart player Walter Gaitan was unceremoniously sold to Necaxa after a falling out with the club and fans, he will face his relegation-threatened ex-teammates in the last game of the season. In the latest days before the season began, the league lost two of it’s best assets Cesar Delgado and Vicente Sanchez to top European league sides Olympique Lyonnais and Schalke 04. Blas Perez, Panama international was signed by Tigres to cover the departure of Sebastian Abreu to River Plate.
Pumas’ only change was the departure of Hector Moreno, part of the 2005 U-17 World Cup winning side joined dutch side AZ Alkmaar on a free transfer. In comes Efrain Juarez, part of the ‘Golden generation’ as well but returning home after failed tryouts in Europe.
Overall, as for reinforcements, Cruz Azul theoretically improved by signing former league-winning duo Jimmy Lozano and Jose Luis ‘Parejita’ Lopez but they do not seem to compensate for the loss of ‘Chelito’ Delgado and Richard Nuñez. Hopes lay on youngsters Cesar Villaluz and Edgar Andrade to help restore the club’s former glory.
Guadalajara, the most popular club in the country did not sign nor lost any player, but the main worry for them is that National teams will require a lot of their players in the upcoming months, specially the U-23 side. The curious note is the inclusion of Salvador ‘Chava’ Reyes, their all-time top goalscorer from the 1960s as an official player in the squad for a homage that took place in the opening game of the season. Reyes did the kickoff and took the ball to the sideline to be substituted (officially) by Omar Bravo. Chava Reyes will remain on the squad list and sometimes will be in the bench through the season, wearing jersey 57, year of his first championship triumph with the club.
America got rid of long-time centre backs Duilio Davino and Ricardo Rojas and brought in Sebastian Dominguez of Corinthians fame from Estudiantes de La Plata. Davino, after 10 years wearing the America jersey was released and will join FC Dallas of MLS in a free move. Richard Nuñez joins America from city rivals Cruz Azul in a controversial deal. Federico Insua, their playmaker got injured in the Libertadores qualifying tournament and will miss the next 6 months. His replacement has not been named.
Boca Juniors and River Plate
Boca Juniors has received the arrival of beloved Juan Roman Riquelme from Villarreal. Other newcomers are Paraguay international Julio Cesar Caceres and Lucas Castroman who comes from a very unsuccessful season at Mexican side America. As usual, their highlights are the sales of top players to Europe, this time, taking the lead is defensive midfielder Ever Banega, who signed for Valencia on a multi-million dollar deal. Perennially injured left-back Juan Krupoviesa is going out on loan to Marseille. An excess of Centre backs caused Matias Silvestre and Matias Cahais to part on loan to Catania and Gronningen respectively.
River welcomed proven striker Washington Sebastian Abreu, El Loco from Mexican side Tigres. Gustavo Cabral, centre back from Racing joins too, as well as Rodrigo Archubi, who comes in through a very fishy deal: He had a contract with Lanus and was loaned out to Olympiakos. Pini Zahavi, the Israeli agent purchased his contract through Polonia Warszawa and then loaned
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