This Saturday, June 24 it was announced that Toluca would bring Argentine defender, Santiago Garcia over from the Bundesliga to the Liga MX. Toluca had not made many impressive moves this off-season and the signing should help solidify the defense for Hernan Cristante.
Garcia, 28 started his career in his native Argentina with Rosario Central where he played from 2008-2010. From there the full-back moved to Europe to play with Italian sides Palermo and Novara before moving to Germany with Werder Bremen in 2013. The Argentine defender has been a consistent starter with Werder Bremen since his arrival, scoring four goals in 94 appearances since 2013.
Garcia plays as a left-back and is a distinct player in his position with attributes that separate him from other players in the left-back spot. The native from Rosario, Argentina is not characterized by his speed running down the wings but more by his incredible physical presence standing in at 6-foot-3. There are not any other fullbacks in the Liga MX that offer that type of physical presence. In fact, there are even few centre-backs who stand in at or over 6-foot-3 in Mexico’s top division.
Garcia should be an important player in Hernan Cristante’s back line this upcoming tournament and should offer security in the defense. Efrain Velarde played in the left-back slot for Los Diablos throughout the Clausura 2017 but Garcia would definitely be an upgrade in that position.
