Jose Luis Lopez.
© Getty Images
Melbourne Victory has added a second Costa Rican international star to its stocks with the signing of dynamic midfielder Jose Luis Lopez on a two-year loan from Costa Rican giant Deportivo Saprissa.
Lopez, 27, will join countryman Carlos Hernandez in Melbourne and brings a wealth of experience, having captained Costa Rica at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and at the 2001 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Lopez has spent the past five seasons with Saprissa, where he won four national titles and the 2005 CONCACAF Champions' Cup, which led to the club’s first appearance in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Victory Coach Ernie Merrick, who saw Lopez in action during a recent scouting trip to Central America, said the Costa Rican was one of the most significant signings in the club’s short history.
“The timing of me going over to Costa Rica between AFC Champions League games was when Saprissa were in the finals, so I saw him play and he was quite outstanding,” Merrick said.
“The focus of my trip was to watch him play in the finals and to talk him into coming to Australia and we were successful on both accounts.”
Lopez replaces Englishman Joseph Keenan, who had his contract mutually terminated overnight, as Victory’s fourth foreign player alongside Hernandez, Scotsman Grant Brebner and Brazilian Ney Fabiano.
“We were always aiming to add another creative, holding midfielder and the job description really meant that we wanted someone with good experience, who can cope with the rigours of that position and the stress of playing for a club that needs to perform well on a regular basis in front of good crowds,” Merrick added.
“He also had to be a very attacking minded player and a great distributor of the ball, and I was lucky enough to come across a Costa Rican teammate of Carlos, who’s a regular in the national team.
“Five years ago he joined Saprissa, Costa Rica’s top club, and that time Saprissa paid the highest ever domestic transfer fee for a player.
“He’s got a terrific record. He captained Saprissa, played in World Cup qualifying matches, played in the Olympic team with Carlos and played in the FIFA Club World Cup, where Saprissa finished third behind Liverpool and Sao Paulo.
“He’s just turned 27, he’s an experienced player and he’ll bring a lot of maturity into the midfield.
“He’s another fantastic addition with outstanding credentials, and together with our key recruits Michael Thwaite, Ney Fabiano, Billy Celeski and Tom Pondeljak, we’re putting together a very strong and exciting side for 2008/09.”
Merrick also acknowledged Keenan, who had his time with Victory restricted by injury and suspension and has been on trial with numerous clubs in Australia and overseas.
“Joseph wants to play first-team football and we don’t want to stand in his way,” Merrick said.
“We wish him all the best for the future and thank him for his contribution to the club.”
Lopez will arrive in Melbourne early next week and is set to feature in Victory’s 2008 Pre-Season Cup campaign, which begins against Adelaide United at Aurora Stadium, Launceston this Sunday (kick off 1pm).
Victory will face Victorian Premier League side the Whittlesea Zebras in a trial match at Epping Soccer Stadium on Tuesday, 15 July.
Victory memberships for the Hyundai A-League 2008/09 season are currently available from the Victory Shop, 236 Swan Street, Richmond, by calling 1300 GO MVFC or online by clicking here.