The Mexican league (Liga MX) players draft in Cancun, Mexico come to an end in what terminated as one of the most calm and boring drafts to date. There were only a few major transfers that were confirmed like Efrain Juarez (Celtic) to Club America, Emmanuel Villa (Cruz Azul) to Pumas, Luis Perez (Monterrey) to Chivas, Gerardo Lugo (Morelia) to Santos, and at the closing moments Rafael Marquez Lugo (Morelia) to Chivas.
The teams that made the most sound were America and Pumas. America confirmed that they signed Rubens Sambueza (Estudiantes), Efrain Juarez, and Adrian Aldrete (Morelia). With these they will fill the whole that Oscar Rojas (loaned to Pachuca) left on the left defensive wing, and will add more strenght on the right with Juarez and a player to accompany Cristian Benitez in the offense with Sambueza.
Pumas on the other hand, signed forwards Emmanuel Villa and Spain’s Luis Garcia (Puebla), along with midfielders Martin Romagnoli (Toluca) and Jaime Lozano (Morelia). Villa and Garcia will undoubtedly be an upgrade from last season’s terrible offense while Romagnoli and Lozano will add age amd experience to the young Pumas squad.
A team that everyone expected to make many moves was the newly promoted Leon, but their only important signings were Johnny Magallon (Chivas), Duilio Davino (Estudiantes), and Edgar Mejia (Chivas).
Everyone expected Chivas de Guadalajara to come out of this draft with three new players. They quickly signed Luis Perez, however their attempts at Gerardo Lugo, Chuletita Orozco, and Leobardo Lopez were negative. However, in the last major transfer of the Mexican league draft, Chivas was able to obtain a much needed striker–Rafael Marquez Lugo–away from Morelia for an estimated $3 million. If Chivas wants to sign a third player–which in this case would be a defender– they will have to either sign a player from the Senior Mexican team, the U-23 Olympic team, or Mexicans playing abroad as these players will still be eligible to “draft”.
The draft ended, but teams are allowed to sign foreign players or Mexican nationals that play abroad until September 5. Therefore, quality forwards like Dayro Moreno (wanted by Pumas) from Xolos de Tijuana, or Nery Castillo (wanted by Pachuca) who plays for Greece’s Aris will have until then to sign with a Mexican team.
Tomorrow, Thursday June 6 will start the Liga de Ascenso (Ascenso MX) player draft.
