GUADALAJARA, Mexico — US Under-23 international Greg Garza has joined the growing ranks of Americans playing just over the world's busiest land border at Club Tijuana.
The Xolos released a statement late on Tuesday, confirming that the 20-year-old left back (pictured above, in the Under-20 CONCACAF Championship this summer) had signed for the club.
“We are very happy with Greg's performances,” club president Jorge Alberto Hank said in a press conference in Tijuana. “You will see, he is a very interesting player and we hope he does well with Club Tijuana.”
Garza, native of Grapevine, Texas, joined Club Tijuana on trial three weeks ago hoping to impress the Mexican top flight's most recently promoted team.
There was some interest in signing him from clubs in MLS, MLSsoccer.com learned, but Garza chose to play alongside fellow Americans Edgar Castillo and Joe Corona a stone’s throw from Southern California.
In late summer, Garza trialed with Norwegian side Vålerenga and Örebro SK in Sweden, after being released by Portuguese second-flight side Estoril at the end of last season.
Garza has dual nationality and will play in the Mexican league as a Mexican national, and will not take up one of the five foreign spots Mexican clubs are permitted.
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America. He can be reached via tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
