Melbourne Victory today announced one of the most significant player acquisitions in the short history of the club, with 25-year-old Costa Rican international, Carlos Hernandez signing a two-year loan deal from Costa Rican giant LD Alajuelense.

The highly regarded attacking midfielder, nicknamed Zorro (The Fox), fills the gap in the roster left by Fred’s departure to D.C. United after Version 2 of the Hyundai A-League.

Victory Football Operations Manager Gary Cole said that Hernandez was the icing on the cake of a very successful off-season recruitment drive.

“Hernandez is a current international in the prime of his career, and still with enormous potential and a fantastic future ahead of him,” Cole said.

“He was blown away by the Hyundai A-League 2007 Grand Final, both in terms of the playing standard, but more importantly, the size and quality of the crowd,” Cole added. “He sees Melbourne Victory as an outstanding opportunity to progress his career to the next level.”

“We’ve strengthened our full back positions with Joseph Keenan and Matthew Kemp and gained a defensive star by the name of Ljubo Milicevic. With the addition of Carlos, we believe our starting lineup has improved on last season.

“And the inclusion of our three Under 20 players Mitchell Langerak, Evan Berger and Leigh Broxham to the squad shows that we are determined to build for the future, as well as for the season ahead.”

Victory Coach Ernie Merrick was understandably delighted with the signing, who represented Costa Rica at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany and the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

“At just 25, Carlos is still an up and coming player, but already he’s achieved so much in his career,” Merrick said.

“In just 17 appearances for the Costa Rican national side, he’s scored six goals, which is a fantastic return from a midfielder in international football. He scored twice in a World Cup qualifier against the United States to send Costa Rica to Germany last year, so what we’re dealing with here is a player of enormous pedigree who is still yet to reach his prime.

“For Carlos to choose Melbourne Victory over a number of established clubs in Europe is quite a feather in the cap of the Hyundai A-League.”

Hernandez is expected to arrive in Melbourne in three weeks and should join the squad in time for the commencement of the 2007 Pre-Season Cup which begins on July 15 in Launceston against archrivals Adelaide United.>>


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Alright another quality player for the a-league. Pity it was for Melbourne though looks like their team will be even stronger than last year.

Melbourne, Superclub of Australia

Don't want to burst your bubble or anything but don't think he would have been considered a "big" signing in MLS. Are Melbourne fans hailing this move as huge? Just an honest question..

Yes, they are.

Hey its a step up from Has-beens okay, and we dont have large amounts of money to play around with.

Wouldn't exactly call him a 'star'. Just because he is an international for Costa Rica doesn't mean he is in the same light as a David Beckham or Ronaldo.

I WANT SYDNEY TO SIGN ZOLA

You heard the prime minister! Sign Zola!

Ew, he'd do shit all. He's too old.

I disagree, it's not as though he'll play the whole season, give this footballing legend a chance! He's one of my all time footballing heros, and i'd love to be able to see him in the flesh.

Costa Rica are an okay Footballing nation...

What do we know about this player...

"He has been an important player for the Costa Rican national team at numerous levels, playing in the under 20 Football World Youth Championship held in Argentina, as well as representing the country with the U-23 team at the 2004 Summer Olympics. He has also been capped for the full national team on 19 occasions, playing for the team during 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. His ability as a good striker of the ball makes him one of the most dangerous midfielders in the region, and he has already built a reputation as a great scorer from long distance, picking up six international goals."

Doesnt look too shabby. Those of you who follow MLS cant say he wouldnt be any good in your league...

P.S - I agree with Sophie...

Zola is one of those players who has really looked after himself and could still play at a decent standard. Pace has never been part of his game. He is a technical genius. He would chew up defenders in the MLS or the A-League. TRUE!

Haha! Dont get carried away coz you have signed Becks...

Its not like Becks is only going the MLS for the money... :-s

Welcome to the forums Gord

Thanks for the welcome mr Kentucky...

What do you think about this new signing in the a-league? You think the MLS is way ahead of the a-league?

I enjoy following the A-League (and Melbourne) as feel it mirrors our league (MLS) much like your national team is similar to ours. As to the signing, its seems smart, get good players that slowly grow the talent within the league improving the quality of play. Obviously hope he does well and leads the Victory to another title and helps in their AFC campaign.

As for the A-League versus MLS. MLS is ahead, but don't feel it is lightyears. It is to be expected, our league is in its 12th year and A-League is entering its 3rd year (and we both have leagues in the past that went under). 2007 has been a huge year for us as the league is financially healthy and has seen clubs make signings unthinkable a few years ago. A-League might have a brakthrough year in about ten years as well.

Honestly, do not worry about it, its nice to have goals, but obsessing about other leagues is not healthy. We have many folks who constantly look towards Europe instead of enjoying their own league. A-League is an exciting league that has great promise and fully expect the quality of play to improve stedily each year. If you guys weren't so far away I'd enjoy seeing our clubs play one another as I personally love inter league competitions.

Wish everyone the best down in Australia, hope to visit there someday.

I agree with your summary mate. I am from the UK so the a-league isnt exactly the league that I follow per say...

I take an interest in the league as I hope to move to Australia in order to find trials with a team.

Which MLS team do you support?

Ah, I see Chester, play as them on FIFA, like taking league 2 sides to the prem.

If the A-League is like MLS then they should have open try outs. Seems like a nice place to live.

I support Columbus Crew, if you want we have a good MLS group, be glad to help one of our cousins out in learning about our young league.

Yeah, Chester is my local team. I dont like them though. Got a really dodgy chairman who has a son who plays for the team ( Muuch to the annoyance of the fans coz he's shite! ) and they did have mark wright as a manager. In the past Wright has been investigated for beating his wife, he slept with one of the Chester players wives and the F.A investigated him whilst he was at Oxfird United for Racism related things. So basically he's an absolute...!

So thats why I dont like Chester. I did have a season ticket at Crewe Alex a few years back. They are a good footballing side. They are a feeder club for Liverpool. Crewe have fantastic youth development. Producing players such as Rob Jones who played for Liverpool, Danny Murphy who played for Liverpool, David Platt who played for Arsenal and more recently Dean Ashton who plays for West Ham Utd.

Yeah, Australia looks a great place so im stoked about going out there. Havnt got an exact date set yet. ( Still sorting everything out )

Speaking of Chester, Andy Dorman who plays for New England Revs comes from Chester. I had never heard of him in the area though and I play in the local Chester leagues so it just proves, you dont have to be a superstar to make it in Football. He seems to be well established in the Revs team now. Maybe Nicols like him coz he's English?

I did consider coming over to the states and trying out for a team but im leaning towards Australia at the moment. When doing my research on the MLS I took a shine to Toronto FC. They have great fans who create a good atmosphere. As a player its always nice to play in a good atmosphere.

Whats going on with Freddy Adu this season? Runours he is Europe bound after this season but sfter leaving DC he has not done well at all. Do you rate him? Im not so sure. He would really struggle at a top europe team on the form he is in now. Good luck to the lad though.

Dorman is a solid role player, the kind Nicol likes and has played well in the midfeild for them. I know the supporters up there love the guy for his work rate. New England has been one of the top sides in MLS the past several seasons (including three cup final appearances...which they lost every time.)

Best atmosphere in MLS? I'd go DC United, Toronto FC and Houston as the top three. You have to remember for years atmosphere was squashed much the same way it is in other sports here. It seems recently MLS has given up and actually wants atmosphere. I look forward to the coming years and seeing supporters groups improving.

Adu plays for Salt Lake, the worst club in MLS and has had a forgettable season thus far. I think Freddy got hyped because at 14 he was amazing for his age, but as he has gotten older the gap has shrunk. He's still only 18, has the U-20 WC to prove himself in. Personally I'd like to see him spend another year here and then maybe go to a mid table club in Spain as you English lads would knock him off the ball every time.

If Melbourne wants another Costa Rican they can buy Andy Herron from the Crew. We could do with a nice transfer fee and he certainly isn't showing all that much for us in any case.

Except his sharp elbows