TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing
Minnesota United FC have signed attacker Mender Garcia from Colombian first-division side Once Caldas, the club announced Friday after the MLS Secondary Transfer Window closed.
The 24-year-old Colombian joins through the 2023 MLS season (one-and-a-half-year contract) with two club options. Heâll be a Designated Player and occupy an international roster spot.
Garcia joins striker Luis Amarilla and midfielder Emanuel Reynoso as DPs in Minnesota. They previously had striker Adrien Hunou as a DP, but transferred the Frenchman to Ligue 1âs Angers in late June.
âWeâre delighted to sign Mender. Heâs a great age, 24, and been playing regular first-team football for a couple of seasons,â head coach Adrian Heath said in a release.
âWe feel as though heâs coming into his prime and can play all across the attack â the middle, wide right, wide left. Incredibly athletic, really quick. Looks to run forward, looks to stretch the field. Weâre really excited about him as a player.â
Garcia has spent his entire career at Once Caldas since debuting as a pro in 2017. He has 22 goals and eight assists in 112 appearances across all competitions.
Minnesota, third in the Western Conference standings, are on track for a fourth-straight Audi MLS Cup Playoffs appearance. He joins a swell of international signings, too, as the Loons build long-term.
âHeâs another young one weâve identified,â Heath added. "I look at Bongi \[Bongokuhle Hlongwane\], Kervin \[Arriaga\], Joseph Rosales and now weâve got Mender. Weâve got a nice core group of young players underneath our experienced guys. Weâre really excited about him and looking forward to bringing him in here and helping him progress his career.â
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