With several Paraguayan players heading north during this (southern hemisphere) winter it seems a good time to inform you all of the Mexican Legion that will be on show in the Mexican Apertura that kicks off next month. Sit back and enjoy
NEW RECRUITS
Herminio Miranda (Puebla)
The 27-year-old defender has joined Puebla after four years at Paraguayan club Nacional where he picked up two league titles (2009 & 2011 Apertura). A left-footed player known for his vicious freekicks and strong challenges he is as likely to be amongst the goals as the red cards!
Stats
D.o.B: 4 April 1985
Hometown: Itá, Paraguay
Height: 1.85 metres
Position: Left back/Centre back
Previous Clubs: General Caballero, 2 de Mayo, Nacional (all Paraguay), Huachipato (Chile)
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Paulo Da Silva (Pachuca)
Technically a returning hero – the former Sunderland man couldn’t agree terms with Real Zaragoza who he helped save from relegation in Spain. Da Silva of course made his name with Toluca in México where he spent six years and picked up three winners medals. Although he struggled in the Premier League the central defender has excelled at international level winning over 100 caps for the albirroja and is impressive as a covering defender behind a more physical partner who wins the aerial battles.
Stats
Paulo Da Silva (left) is a stalwart of the national team – Photo: Prensa Selección Paraguaya
D.o.B: 1 February 1980
Hometown: Asunción, Paraguay
Height: 1.81 metres
Position: Centre back
Previous Clubs: Atlantida, Presidente Hayes, Cerro Porteño, Sport Colombia, Libertad (all Paraguay), Perugia, Venezia (both Italy), Lanús (Argentina), Toluca (Mexico), Sunderland (England), Real Zaragoza (Spain)
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Edgar ‘Pajaro’ Benitez (Toluca)
Ok so this one is unofficial, but the pajaro will fly the nest if he can’t agree terms with Cerro Porteño where he is currently on loan. Parent club Pachuca have already stated publicly he will be a Toluca player if the Paraguayan club don’t retain his services. The 24-year-old has already enjoyed success in México scoring the crucial goal for Pachuca to win the CONCACAF Champions League in 2009/10. The left-footed winger cum striker has excelled in the domestic sphere with Cerro with his blistering pace and tendency to run at defenders making him a real handful.
Stats
D.o.B: 8 November 1987
Hometown: Repatriación, Paraguay
Height: 1.76 metres
Position: Left winger/forward
Previous Clubs: Libertad, Sol de América, Cerro Porteño (all Paraguay), Pachuca (Mexico)
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OLD GUARD
Just a brief round-up of the guys already plying their trade in La Liga Mexicana.
Osvaldo Martinez (Atlante) – This blog is a big fan of the diminutive forward who like Edgar Benitez has won the CONCACAF Champions League with Monterrey where he picked up a couple of league titles to boot. We featured him earlier in the season.
Fredy Bareiro (Estudiantes Tecos) - Fredy ‘The Fox’ Bareiro is close to coming back to Paraguay possibly with Olimpia with his contract up at Tecos, however if the right deal comes through he will happily stay in the country he first moved to five years ago with León.
Fredy Bareiro could come back to Paraguay – Photo: Paraguay.com
Aureliano Torres (Toluca) – The left back was a regular starter for the side who missed out on the liguilla he will hope to form a good partnership down the left with his compatrior Edgar Benítez should he stay, although Torres has been linked heavily with Uruguayan club Peñarol.
Dario Verón (PUMAS) – Paulo da Silva’s long-standing central defensive partner in the national team is recovering from a long-term injury and how PUMAS missed him towards the end of last season. He has been a pillar of the team so successful in recent years winning five trophies since joining almost a decade ago.
By Ralph Hannah
