Colombian connection to MLS continues as San Jose Earthquakes sign veteran attacking midfielder Tressor Moreno

The San Jose Earthquakes made a solid move to bolster their midfield corps today by signing veteran Colombian attacking midfielder Tressor Moreno. The 33-year old international joined the team on trial last week and negotiations to bring him to San Jose began soon after. While terms of Moreno’s contract were not disclosed by the team or by MLS, indications are that the agreed upon terms are below Designated Player standards.

"Tressor is a classic No. 10," said Earthquakes general manager John Doyle in a prepared statement. "He’s a guy who can dictate the tempo of a game and really take control for us. He has the ability to score goals, but more importantly can set other guys up for scoring chances."

A proven veteran of Mexico’s Primera League with teams Necaxa, Veracruz, and San Luis, Moreno also featured for the Colombian National Team from 2000 through 2007. During a club career that started in 1999 with Alianza Lima of Peru, Moreno has registered over 350 appearances and scored 83 goals. The Colombian comes to MLS after a relatively brief stint with Santiago Wanderers of the Chilean Primera, and he is still considered a solid central midfielder capable of orchestrating an offense and delivering quality service to the forward line.

"Tressor has great vision and is a terrific passer of the ball," said Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop in a prepared statement. "He's a proven No. 10 at the international level and is coming off a successful season in Chile. He brings a new element to our squad that we've been looking for and we're excited to have him."

As it became clearer during the offseason that Tottenham’s Simon Dawkins was looking to stay in England rather than make a return to San Jose, the Earthquakes technical staff made it clear that they were scouting other players to step in to the attacking midfielder role in the 2012 season. While not blessed with the speed of other newcomers Shea Salinas and Marvin Chavez, Moreno does have the vision and wherewithal to be able to connect the wingers to the forwards and being cohesion to the offensive unit. Earlier today it was announced that Dawkins had been added to the official Tottenham Hotspur 25-man squad list, further decreasing the chances the young midfielder will be loaned to the Earthquakes for a second successive season.

With only three of their seven 2012 International roster spots accounted for going into the preseason — Rafael Baca, Victor Bernardez, and Marvin Chavez — the Earthquakes have plenty of options when it comes to making player signings. One of those four available roster spots was spent on forward Sercan Güvenışık, who signed with San Jose late last week. The signing of Moreno still leaves the Earthquakes with two available international player roster spots, which provides flexibility for either future signings of internationals or as trade value to other MLS teams in need.

Highlights of the latest San Jose Earthquakes signing:

Here's a quick-hit of goal highlights: