The USA's Sporting Kansas City -- a 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League participant -- announced it had signed Federico Bessone (pictured) on September 13, 2013. (Photo courtesy of Oldham Athletic)
KANSAS CITY, Kansas -- Sporting Kansas City announced Friday that it signed defender Federico Bessone, a former FC Barcelona youth product.
The 29-year-old was most recently on the books at Oldham Athletic in England, but left the team before the end of the 2012-13 season due to a calf injury.
"He's a technical and experienced player who can play anywhere on the left side," said Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes.
Bessone was born in Cordoba, Argentina, and moved to Lleida, Spain, as a youth. He entered FC Barcelona’s La Masia Academy and signed his first professional contract with Barcelona C in 2003, playing alongside Lionel Messi.
He moved to RCD Espanyol B in 2005 and completed a loan at Club Gimnàstic de Tarragona in 2008, before joining Swansea City for the first of two stints in Wales, highlighted by his English Premier League debut in September 2011. Bessone would continue his career with English clubs Leeds United, Charlton Athletic, Swindon Town and, most recently, Oldham.
“I've been training here for two weeks and the quality of the team is magnificent,” said Bessone. “I'm very happy to be here. The city is great, the people are so friendly and my teammates have been tremendous with me.”
