El Salvador's Rafael Burgos hopes that his return to European football will help prepare him for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup. (Photo: Mexsport)
KØGE, Denmark -- Rafael Burgos returns to Europe with the intent of being a difference maker for El Salvador in the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Hours after arriving in Denmark, where he will play with second-division side HB Køge for the next six months, the forward spoke with CONCACAF.com about his new challenge.
"I am happy to return Europe and keep highlighting the name of El Salvador," said an excited Burgos. "This will serve to further open doors to other compatriots.
"I will do the preseason with the team, which also help me to reach tempo for the Gold Cup. I'm going to do everything in my power to get playing time.”
The 26-year-old forward spent the early part of his career in El Salvador with Alianza (2004-09, 2011-12), Santa Tecla (2009-10) and UES (2010), before joining Petapa (2012) in Guatemala. From there, he made the jump to Europe, signing with Austria’s SV Reid and, ultimately, being loaned to numerous teams: Baník Ostrava (Czech Republic, 2012); Kecskeméti (Hungary, 2012-13); Győri ETO (Hungary, 2013-14), Minnesota United FC (USA, 2014).
Burgos took the opportunity to say goodbye to Minnesota, the team with which he played in five North American Soccer League games: "I thank Minnesota for the opportunity gave me to play with them. I was treated very well there.”
For El Salvador, Burgos has appeared in 39 matches and scored 13 goals, including six in the Central American Cup.
