In a sign of the growing value of players from the CONCACAF region, US star Clint Dempsey will be welcoming Mexican left back Carlos Salcido to Craven Cottage.
Fulham FC signed the two-time World Cup veteran on a three-year deal from PSV Eindhoven on Friday, just days before the close of the international-transfer window in Europe.
Rumored to be on the outs at PSV since last season, 30-year-old Salcido was mentioned as a target of Liverpool, with his transfer fee reportedly valued between $2.5 million and $3.5 million. The interesting angle to the deal is that Liverpool look set to sign Fulham’s current left back, 29-year-old Paul Konchesky, for a transfer fee reportedly in the range of $4.6 million to $6.2 million, while also throwing in two prospects to Fulham as part of the deal.
Fulham manager Mark Hughes says he values Salcido’s ability to play a number of defensive positions. The Mexican has largely featured at left back for club and country, but is known to slide into a center back position if need be.
Salcido’s addition to the Premier League adds to the growing number of Mexicans featuring in the EPL. Javier “Chicharito” Hernández was the big summer signing for Manchester United, while West Ham signed Pablo Barrera from Pumas UNAM. Giovani dos Santos (Tottenham) and Carlos Vela (Arsenal) will be featuring in the UEFA Champions League with their respective clubs.
Fulham’s newest acquisition will spend one weekend with his new club before promptly heading an ocean away from his new home base in London.
Salcido, a former Chivas de Guadalajara star, was called up to the Mexican National Team for matches on Sept. 4 (vs. Ecuador) and Sept. 7 (vs. Colombia). Camp in Mexico kicks off on Monday.
