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Report: Union’s Valdes nearing loan to San Lorenzo

CarlosValdesColombiaNetherlands1 (Getty)

By DAN KARELL

Philadelphia Union defender Carlos Valdes could find himself playing in Argentina this spring.

Hoping to remain in the good graces of Colombia National Team Jose Pekerman, Valdes is nearing a six-month loan to defending Argentine champion San Lorenzo, according to multiple reports in Argentina and Colombia. The 28-year-old spent all of the 2013 calendar year with Independiente Santa Fe in Colombia, but the club decided to end their loan deal with the Union last month, leaving Valdes free to move elsewhere.

A spokesperson for the Union confirmed the news to SBI, but said “nothing is finalized.”

According to one report, all that’s missing for Valdes to become a San Lorenzo player is a document from Major League Soccer. Valdes reportedly flew from Colombia to Buenos Aires on Monday.

“The idea of ​​the trip (to Buenos Aires) is to advance everything on the transfer, and then finish the agreement between the clubs,” Valdes told Olé before leaving Colombia. “(It) would be a six-month loan, or maybe full transfer.”

Valdes spent the 2011 and 2012 seasons with the Union, emerging as one of the league’s best defenders. Valdes played 67 times in the regular season and playoffs for the Union, scoring three goals. The Union certainly could have used Valdes both last season and this coming season, especially after trading veteran Jeff Parke for up-and-coming centerback Ethan White.

San Lorenzo, the favorite team of the current Pope, Francis, were unexpected winners this past fall, out-lasting the likes of Boca Juniors, Newell’s Old Boys, and Lanus in the final weeks of the Torneo Inicial. Due to winning the title, San Lorenzo will be taking part in the Copa Libertadores this spring.

“With the Pope, it gained popularity,” Valdes said of San Lorenzo. “It is one of best (team’s) in Argentina, it is large and strives to be champion.”

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What do you think of this report? Do you expect Valdes to move on-loan to San Lorenzo? Do you think there’s any chance he returns to MLS?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. The Union are doing him a solid so that he can be available for the World Cup. It’d a win win. Someone else pays salary, value increases and he gets great experiences playing abroad. It’s a calculated risk but one that will likely pay off.

    Reply
    • No, it won’t pay off. They will have gotten nothing out of 2 years of his contract . How much will a 29 year old Valdes really be worth, anyway? This Valdes drama is a bad precedent and waste of resources for MLS. If guys don’t want to be in MLS just cut them loose and move on.

      Reply
    • They are interested but according to Peckerman he’d have to go to a more competitive league if he wants to make Brazil, thence the six months loan
      It’s right there in the article.

      Reply
      • Um, no, it’s not right there in the article. That doesn’t explain why the Union would be interesting in complying with his or Pekerman’s wishes. The answer to his question is that while the Union would like to keep him, in honoring his request, they are attempting to safeguard their investment by keeping him happy and motivated to perform at his best in case they sell him later.

  2. At some point, they have to either cash out or get him on the field. Granted, the Union know he will not play for them until after the World Cup. If they are considering a loan, one would think that Valdes is signed for at least 2015. Anyone know how much time is left on his current deal?

    Reply

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