El Salvador international Darwin Ceren (pictured) made his San Jose Earthquakes debut on August 5, 2016. (Photo: Mexsport)

SAN JOSE, California – Just three days after being acquired in a trade, El Salvador international Darwin Ceren made his San Jose Earthquakes debut on Friday night in a 0-0 draw with visiting New York City FC, before a capacity crowd of 18,000. 

The 26-year-old midfielder entered as an 82nd minute substitute for Fatai Alashe.

“I’m happy I was able to debut tonight,” said Ceren.  “I’m overwhelmed with all of the support from my teammates and the fans from my country that came tonight.  To have that following is a blessing and made this process much easier.

“I’m motivated to fit in and continue to play well with these guys.  Now I have to continue to play hard and earn the right to continue to play significant minutes.  I think little by little, if I continue to work I will have those opportunities.”

Ceren arrived from Orlando City SC in exchange for Matias Perez Garcia and an additional roster consideration.

“We think Darwin is a good young player who is going to add bite to our midfield,” Earthquakes head coach Dominic Kinnear commented after the trade.  “Every time I saw him play for Orlando, I thought he would be a good fit for us and I’m glad we have had the opportunity to bring him here.”

In a season and a half with the Lions’ Major League Soccer side, Ceren made 42 league appearances and scored three goals.  Last year, he received the 2015 FutbolMLS.com’s Latino del Año Award as the best Latino player in MLS.

Ceren originally signed with Orlando City SC in February of 2014 when the club was a part of the United Soccer League.  In his lone season in USL, Ceren recorded two goals and an assist in 15 matches. 

Prior to signing with Orlando, Ceren helped Salvadoran club Juventud Independiente earn promotion to the country’s first division.  He made 83 appearances for the club and scored 15 goals from 2009 to 2014. 

With El Salvador, Ceren has scored two goals in 34 games.  He has played in two CONCACAF Gold Cups (2013: 4 games/0 goals; 2015: 3/0), two Central American Cups (2013: 4/0; 2014: 4/0) and in eight World Cup qualifiers (1 goal).