SAN JOSE -- The San Jose Earthquakes announced on Thursday that the club has signed Club Atletico Tigre (Argentina) attacking midfielder Matias Perez Garcia as a Designated Player pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and international transfer certificate. Per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Perez Garcia, 29, is a creative playmaker who has spent his career in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and France. Most recently, he completed two seasons with CA Tigre of Argentina, leading Los Matadores in scoring both years.
“We’re very excited to sign Matias,” said Earthquakes head coach Mark Watson. “He adds a very experienced, technical attacking quality that will be a great complement to the squad we already have. We look forward to having him join the team.”
The Tartagal, Argentina native had 16 goals and 10 assists in 77 appearances with CA Tigre after joining the club in 2012. He helped lead Los Matadores to the Round of 16 in the 2012-13 Copa Libertadores, scoring four goals in his nine tournament appearances. Perez Garcia followed with a dynamic campaign in the first half of the 2013-14 Argentinean competitive calendar, the Torneo Inicial, with four goals and five assists in 13 games. He found the net three more times in the Torneo Final, which ended in May.
Before moving to CA Tigre, Perez Garcia suited up for Club Universidad de Chile and CA All Boys of Argentina. He scored six goals and had 18 assists in 81 games for All Boys, including one goal and two assists in 30 appearances while on loan with the Buenos Aires club in 2011-12. He also made nine appearances for Club Universidad de Chile in 2011-12 after moving to their squad following two seasons with All Boys.
Perez Garcia has also had stints with French-based Chamois Niortais F.C., CA Cerro of Uruguay and Argentinean clubs Talleres de Remedios de Escalada, CAI and CA Lanus.
“It’s a monumental moment for the club,” said Earthquakes general manager John Doyle. “Matias is a dynamic, attacking player that will create chances for teammates as well as himself. I’m very excited to see the impact that he can have on this league for years to come.”
Perez Garcia represented Argentina at the U-17 and U-20 levels. He played alongside talents such as Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez, scoring two goals in 14 total appearances between the two age groups.
Perez Garcia is the third Designated Player in club history. The first was Brazilian playmaker Geovanni on Aug. 16, 2010 as the Earthquakes marched toward their first postseason appearance since rejoining the league in 2008. Next was Bay Area native and United States Men’s National Team forward Chris Wondolowski after signing a new contract on Feb. 26, 2013.
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