33 year-old’s move a done deal pending a medical and league paperwork.
Colorado Rapids are on the verge of signing veteran striker Vicente Sánchez from Nacional, upon his completion of a medical and finalisation of league paperwork.
Sánchez arrived in Colorado earlier this week to work on finalising his move to the Rapids, where the striker hopes he can contribute as Colorado push up the Western Conference standings. He brings a hard-to-beat pedigree to Commerce City. The veteran of the Uruguayan national team racked up 85 goals in 242 appearances over a six-year stint at Toluca, helping the Mexican league side win Apertura titles in 2002 and 2005.
Following his successful stint in Mexico, Sánchez moved to Bundesliga side Schalke for three years before returning to Mexico for more three years in 2010, this time with Club América, before returning to Uruguay’s Nacional last year.
Sanchez claimed he had received offers from Colombia, Argentina and in Uruguay, but after speaking to Colorado’s head coach Oscar Pareja, his mind was made up.
“I think (MLS) has grown a lot,” Sánchez said. “When I spoke with (Pareja), he told me about the project here and it interested me. It’s a team that plays beautifully and well.”
“He’s a player that I know from before,” said Rapids Head Coach Oscar Pareja. “I was tracking him last year for us, but the numbers didn’t work out. He’s a player who has been at a high level for a long time, and was active in a top league in South America in the last tournament. He’s a very professional player, a very technical player, and he has a lot of experience. I think he would adjust very well to the league.”
Sanchez did not feature in the Rapids’ 2-2 draw in the Rocky Mountain Cup match against Real Salt Lake, but could be available for Saturday’s game against Chivas USA, and hopes to push them on to keep their playoff position.
