Cruz Azul announced the acquisition of Mexico international Francisco Javier Rodriguez from Club America on June 5, 2014. (Photo: Mexsport)
MEXICO CITY – Following Wednesday’s LIga MX Draft, Cruz Azul announced multiple player personnel moves, including the outright acquisition of Mexico international Francisco Javier Rodriguez from Club America.
The current CONCACAF Champions League (CCL) champion will be contesting three competitions in the last six months of the year – 2014 Liga MX Apertura, the 2014/15 CCL and the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup.
It was the purchase of Rodriguez, though, that created the biggest stir. The 32-year-old central defender, who started his professional career with Guadalajara in 2002, made 50 league appearances for America after joining the Aguilas ahead of the 2013 Clausura from Germany’s VfB Stuttgart. He is currently with Mexico as it prepares for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
In other roster news, 33-year-old goalkeeper Yosgart Gutierrez and midfielder Alejandro Vela will be returning from loan spells with Atlante. Vela, 30, has two career CCL goals.
Defender Emanuel Loeschbor, who started both legs of the 2013/14 CCL final against Toluca, will stay with Cruz Azul on loan after an agreement was reached with his club, Morelia.
Numerous players were loaned to other clubs, including Jeronimo Amione (Toluca), Horacio Cervantes (Jaguates de Chiapas), Adrian Cortes (Veracruz), Gibran Lajud (Club Tijuana), while goalkeeper Oscar Perez’s stay with fellow CCL qualifier Pachuca was extended.
Sergio Napoles was transferred permanently to Guadalajara.
