Chivas USA Thursday announced the signing of versatile Mexican midfielder Mariano Trujillo. A veteran of Mexican clubs Pumas UNAM, Santos Laguna, Morelia and most recently Atlante, Trujillo, 31, has been training with Chivas USA since late February at The Home Depot Center. He is eligible to make his MLS debut this Saturday vs. Colorado pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate. Per club and league policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"We are pleased to add a player of Mariano Trujillo's experience to our squad," said Chivas USA Head Coach Preki Radosavljevic. "Mariano has performed well with us during the past month of our preseason. We hope that his speed, technical ability and versatility will be a great addition to Chivas USA."
Ahead of Saturday's Season Opener vs. the Colorado Rapids, Trujillo and Chivas USA will hold their final practice session at The Home Depot Center at 10:00 a.m. PT on Field 6.
A versatile right-sided midfielder who can also play outside back, Mariano Trujillo was born May 19, 1977 in Mexico City. A product of the youth system of Pumas UNAM, Trujillo made his Mexican First Division debut on Oct. 25, 1996. He represented the Mexico City club from 1996-2003, barring a half-year stint at Santos Laguna (2001), where he helped Santos to the Verano 2001 championship, starting both games and scoring in the Guerreros' 4-3 aggregate win over Pachuca. From 2003-2008, he played for Mexican First Division clubs Morelia (2003-2007), and Atlante (2008).
In all, Trujillo has played in 284 Mexican First Division games (233 as a starter), in which he has registered 35 goals and 2 assists. He has also played in the Copa Libertadores and the CONCACAF Champions League, among other tournaments. On the international level, he played two games for the senior Mexican National Team from 2003-2005, registering 1 goal. Trujillo was also a member of Mexico's U-20 squad at the 1997 World Youth Championship in Malaysia, alongside current Chivas USA forward Eduardo Lillingston. A U.S. green card holder, Trujillo counts as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes.
In other news today, Chivas USA announced that forward Eduardo Lillingston has received his P-1 work visa and, like Trujillo, now only awaits his International Transfer Certificate in order to be eligible to make his MLS debut for Chivas USA.
Chivas USA kicks off its fifth campaign in Major League Soccer when it hosts the Colorado Rapids in an Opening Day match on Saturday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m. PT at The Home Depot Center. For more information on Chivas USA season tickets, as well as the unbeatable All-Star five-game pack (starting at just $50), please call 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or visit cdchivasusa.com.
TRANSACTION: Chivas USA signs Mexican midfielder Mariano Trujillo.
