Melbourne Victory today announced one of the most significant player acquisitions in the short history of the club, with 25-year-old Costa Rican international, Carlos Hernandez signing a two-year loan deal from Costa Rican giant LD Alajuelense.

The highly regarded attacking midfielder, nicknamed Zorro (The Fox), fills the gap in the roster left by Fred’s departure to D.C. United after Version 2 of the Hyundai A-League.

Victory Football Operations Manager Gary Cole said that Hernandez was the icing on the cake of a very successful off-season recruitment drive.

“Hernandez is a current international in the prime of his career, and still with enormous potential and a fantastic future ahead of him,” Cole said.

“He was blown away by the Hyundai A-League 2007 Grand Final, both in terms of the playing standard, but more importantly, the size and quality of the crowd,” Cole added. “He sees Melbourne Victory as an outstanding opportunity to progress his career to the next level.”

“We’ve strengthened our full back positions with Joseph Keenan and Matthew Kemp and gained a defensive star by the name of Ljubo Milicevic. With the addition of Carlos, we believe our starting lineup has improved on last season.

“And the inclusion of our three Under 20 players Mitchell Langerak, Evan Berger and Leigh Broxham to the squad shows that we are determined to build for the future, as well as for the season ahead.”

Victory Coach Ernie Merrick was understandably delighted with the signing, who represented Costa Rica at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany and the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

“At just 25, Carlos is still an up and coming player, but already he’s achieved so much in his career,” Merrick said.

“In just 17 appearances for the Costa Rican national side, he’s scored six goals, which is a fantastic return from a midfielder in international football.  He scored twice in a World Cup qualifier against the United States to send Costa Rica to Germany last year, so what we’re dealing with here is a player of enormous pedigree who is still yet to reach his prime.

“For Carlos to choose Melbourne Victory over a number of established clubs in Europe is quite a feather in the cap of the Hyundai A-League.”

Hernandez is expected to arrive in Melbourne in three weeks and should join the squad in time for the commencement of the 2007 Pre-Season Cup which begins on July 15 in Launceston against archrivals Adelaide United.

Carlos Hernandez profile:
Full name: Carlos Hernandez
Date of birth: April 9, 1982
Place of birth: Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Height: 170cm
Weight: 70kg
Nickname: Zorro
Position: Attacking midfielder
Former club: LD Alajuelense
National team appearances: 17
National team goals:  6