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The Red Bulls have agreed to terms with Walter Garcia, and will add the Argentine defender as soon as he receives his P-1 visa and passes a physical.
“There’s still some issues, P-1, his medical. But in terms of the financial part of it, we’ve come to an agreement,” said sporting director Jeff Agoos, who said Garcia would be signed through the end of this season with a club option for next year. In essence, they’re kicking the tires and taking a three-month flyer on a devalued stud.
“Walter’s a guy we’re bringing in with the intention of taking a longer look at, we have the ability to look at the rest of the season. So he’ll be signed to our roster, we’ll have a look at him and if we like him we’d extend the contract to next year.” The Red Bulls had a little money to spend, a combination of departed winger/malcontent Khano Smith being waived and ex-Serbian National Team striker Veljko Paunovic not appearing all that interested and/or simply out of their price range. Turns out that cash is going to Garcia, who we first told you about last Thursday.
“It was a very interesting spot. We looked at him, saw him a few games _ mostly videotape _ and with the way our budget had come into being the last two weeks, we were able to sign him and take an extended look,” Agoos said. “We were able to fit him into our cap with the hope of bringing him in for two or three months, not a trial but an evaluation.”
Garcia _ a former Argentine U-20 teammate of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano _ started his career with Argentinos Juniors in 2001, staying with the team for a season even after it got relegated. The he returned to the Primera from 2003-05 with Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro, where he made his name.
Garcia started 61 games with San Lorenzo, including all four in the 2004 Copa Sudamericana. He appeared in four Copa Libertadores tilts the next year, and became a sought-after prospect, drawing interest from D.C. United but proving too costly for them.
“(He has) good experience in the first and second division in Argentina, he has been a member of the national team at the youth level and I think he will contribute. I think he will be good,” said coach Juan Carlos Osorio. “There are certain players who don’t accept to come here to be looked at. But he’ll be here for the remainder of the season to take a close look. But he seems like he’s a legitimate candidate to strengthen the team.”
“When I say he’s a legitimate candidate, I say that because he has played a) with the national team, he was a member of the Under-20 team with very good players. I’ve spoken to his coach, and he said he has all the potential to be very good.”
Garcia’s career took a decline when he was sold to Russia’s FC Rubin Kazan in 2006, riding the pine there and also at Italy’s Calcio Catania later that year. When asked to guess on Garcia’s dip in form, Osorio speculated that it could’ve been because of his inexperience in Europe _ Garcia was 22 at the time _ or possibly the hernia injury upon his return.
“What could have happened is he went to Europe too early, and then he couldn’t cope with all the demands of European football, being a young lad,” Osorio said. “I don’t know; I’m not sure. And also the injuries could have played a part.
“He had a hernia, which he has already fixed. That was last season, but he took care of that and he played enough games last season. I think that alone in my opinion makes me believe that he is a player that is used to the tough times in football, not so much the good times.”
Garcia returned home the next year to feature for two seasons with Quilmes. He spent four months at three-time Copa Libertadores champs Nacional, before drawing interest from Ecuador’s Deportivo Quito and trialing with Mexico’s Club America last month. Now, once he gets his P-1 visa, arrives in New York and passes his physical, he’ll be a Red Bull. They hope he impresses enough in 2009 to stick for 2010.
Do you think Garcia can regain his form? Think he’ll help solidify the defense? Share your views below….
