With the comments on Saturday by San Jose Earthquakes president David Kaval that the organization had signed an attack-minded player ahead of the close of the MLS summer transfer window, the Quakes finally made a move to improve their roster after an 11 game stretch where the team has failed to register a win. In a effort to remove any scrutiny from the local media, and perhaps in an attempt to avoid jinxing the entire process, the identity of the newest Quake was kept under wraps by head coach Frank Yallop and general manager John Doyle. The only hint as to the player's background was that he was a striker and that he was currently in season. Attention quickly turned to South America, where Doyle had recently completed a visit to partner team Internacional of Brazil, as the likely home of the player.
Earlier today, that identity became clear, as Club Deportiva El Nacional of Ecuador released news that striker Edmundo Zura was being transferred to the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer. He has played in Ecuador for most of his career, before going on loan to Newcastle Jets of the Australian A-League in 2008, where he failed to score a goal in 9 appearances. Since his return to his native country from Australia, Zura has featured with CD El Nacional and scored 10 goals in 30 appearances.
The 28-year old Ecuador international is set to come to San Jose on loan through the remainder of the MLS season, and the Earthquakes have an option to purchase the striker beyond 2011. Kaval mentioned last Saturday evening in his pre-game announcement that the player would not be on Designated Player money this season, but that the option to buy the forward would likely catapult him into that category.