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Columbus Crew SC

Crew signs Argentine legend Guillermo Barros Schelotto

April 19, 2007 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Columbus Crew SC News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Crew announced today that it has signed Guillermo Barros Schelotto, one of the most beloved players in the history of legendary Argentine club Boca Juniors, to a two-year contract. Per club and league policy, no further terms of the deal were disclosed.

In a coordinated announcement in Buenos Aries, Argentina, Barros Schelotto confirmed that he is leaving his club of 10 years to sign with the Crew, of Major League Soccer. It is regarded as one of the Crew's most significant signings ever and one of the most significant in the league this season.

"On behalf of the entire Columbus Crew organization, we are honored to welcome a player of Guillermo Barros Schelotto's caliber," said Crew General Manager Mark McCullers. "While personifying soccer's passion, his experience, leadership and skill, honed with a tradition-rich club like Boca Juniors, will be tremendous assets to our team. At the same time, his immense popularity immediately raises our profile internationally and enhances the stature of our brand."

Barros Schelotto, 33, has played professionally in Argentina's top flight for a total of 16 years, where he scored 106 goals in 391 games (all competitions), and earned eight caps (appearances) with Argentina's storied national team in 1999. At the Under-23 national team level, Barros Schelotto was a member of Argentina's Gold Medal-winning team at the 1995 Pan American Games.

Nicknamed "El Mellizo," (the twin), he debuted with Boca Juniors on Sept. 14, 1997, in a 2-1 win over Newell's, and became one of the most popular figures in club history, going on to appear in 210 games in all competitions (156 in league play) and score some 61 goals. He scored 10 goals in 1998-99 and reached double figures again the next year (1999-2000), with 11. Barros Schelotto's final appearance for Boca came in Sunday's (April 15) "Superclasico" vs. arch-rival River Plate, a match attended by McCullers.

"I am very happy to be coming to the Crew," Barros Schelotto said through an interpreter on a teleconference for U.S.-based media following his press conference in Buenos Aries. "It is going to be a beautiful experience coming to the U.S. and I'm looking forward to my arrival in Columbus. After spending time with Mark (McCullers) at my house, I have a good feeling about the Crew, what the club is about and my role on it. I'm looking forward to a good season, in which we achieve all of our objectives, and to helping the league grow."

Barros Schelotto holds the Boca Juniors record of 15 titles and the Argentine record for the most titles ever won, with 17. His championships with Boca were: Apertura (1998, 2000, 2003, 2005), Clausura (1999, 2006), Copa Libertadores (2000, 2001, 2003), Intercontinental Cup (2000, 2003), Copa Sudamericana (2004, 2005) and Recopa Sudamericana (2005, 2006). He is also Boca's all-time leading scorer in international matches.

"We are excited to add a player of Guillermo Barros Schelotto's quality and commitment to winning, which he has proven in his time at Boca Juniors," said Crew Head Coach Sigi Schmid. "He will be able to bring that to Columbus and share it with Crew players and fans."

Barros Schelotto launched his professional career in 1991 with Gimnasia y Esgrima de La Plata, where he played with his twin brother, Gustavo (the genesis of his nickname). They were also briefly teammates at Boca and Gustavo later player with the Puerto Rico Islanders of the United Soccer Leagues First Division. Guillermo made his pro debut with Gimnasia on Oct.6, 1991 vs. Independiente and scored 45 goals in 181 matches with the team, including a career-high 14 in 1996-97. His biography "Guillermo, el terrible. Historia de un ídolo" ("Guillermo the Menace. History of an Idol"), was published in 2006.

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