Jean Philippe joins Quakes on loan

Peguero Jean Philippe is on his way to San Jose. Photo by Howard Smith/isiphotos.com

The San Jose Earthquakes have obtained former Colorado Rapids and New York Red Bulls forward Peguero Jean Philippe on loan from Danish club Brondby, getting the deal done in time to beat the April 15 transfer deadline, sources have told CLS.

The acquisition is contingent on Jean Philippe passing a physical, but once that is done, the Haitian will join the Quakes although it likely won’t be in time for this weekend’s game against one of Peguero’s old clubs, Colorado.

Jean Philippe’s loan will run through the rest of the MLS season, at which point, San Jose will have the option to purchase his contract, which according to a source runs through 2009.

It was in Denmark that Jean Philippe suffered a severe right knee injury during the 2006 season, rupturing his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments. But Jean Philippe has been playing regularly with Brondby’s reserves, practicing with the first team, and looks to be healthy again.

That development led to other teams being interested in Jean Philippe’s services, but with the Quakes sitting atop the allocation pecking order, they were able to grab the Haitian first. San Jose will now slide to the bottom of the allocation list.

Jean Philippe joins a side that is still looking for its first goal of the 2008 campaign, and he’s expected to add a strong physical presence to the Quakes’ frontline.