HARRISON, NJ (Dec. 3, 2012) – The New York Red Bulls announced today that they acquired forward Fabian Espindola and two-time MLS Best XI selection and 2010 MLS Defender of the Year Jamison Olave from Real Salt Lake in exchange for allocation money.
“Fabian and Jamison are players who have excelled in Major League Soccer and provide an immediate boost to our squad,” said Red Bulls Sporting Director Andy Roxburgh. “Fabian is a pacy, technical forward who will be a strong complement to the players currently on our roster, while Jamison is a fast, dominant centerback who has shown that he is one of the best at his position in MLS. We are thrilled to bring them to New York as we prepare for the 2013 season.”
Espindola recently finished his sixth season with Real Salt Lake. This year, the Argentine recorded nine goals and seven assists in 30 games played, 27 of which were starts. The 27-year-old enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2011, notching a career-high 10 goals, good for second on the team, to go along with three assists. Espindola also helped Real Salt Lake make its historic run to the final of the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League and was part of the squad that won the 2009 MLS Cup. He racked up 125 appearances and 104 starts for the Utah-based team, tallying 35 goals and 17 assists.
Prior to coming to Major League Soccer, Espindola started his career in 2005 for famed Argentine club, Boca Juniors, before having stints at Talleres (Argentina) and Aucas (Ecuador) in 2006 and Deportivo Quito (Ecuador) in 2007. He also had played with Venezuelan side, Deportivo Anzoategui, in 2009, but returned to Real Salt Lake in April 2009.
Olave joined Real Salt Lake from Colombian side, Deportivo Cali, on Feb. 20, 2008. He has since made 120 appearances (119 starts) for Real Salt Lake, amassing 10 goals and two assists. In recent times, the Colombian has cemented his place as one of MLS’ top defenders and was named the League’s Defender of the Year in 2010. The 31-year-old is a two-time MLS Best XI selection and All-Star (2010 and 2011) and was also part of the team that won MLS Cup in 2009. In that year, Olave appeared in 25 regular season matches and played in every minute of their four playoff games.
Olave started his career at Deportivo Cali before having stints with Colombian clubs Atletico Huela (2002), CD Patriotas FC (2003), Chico FC (2004). The 6-3, 210-pound defender then returned to Deportivo Cali in 2005, helping it to the domestic championship.
Fabian Espindola
Position: Forward
Pronunciation: fah-BEE-ann es-SPEEN-doh-lah
Height: 5-9
Weight: 160 pounds
Day of Birth: May 4, 1985 in Merlo, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Hometown: Merlo, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Previous Club: Real Salt Lake (Major League Soccer)
Jamison Olave
Position: Defender
Pronunciation: HA-mee-son oh-LAH-vay
Height: 6-3
Weight: 210 pounds
Day of Birth: April 21, 1981 in Merlo, Medellin, Colombia
Hometown: Medellin, Colombia
Previous Club: Real Salt Lake (Major League Soccer)
