COMMERCE CITY — The Colorado Rapids on Thursday acquired Argentine playmaker Martin Rivero, the team said, after weeks of chasing the attacking midfielder.
Rivero, a 22-year-old who will arrive on loan from Rosario Central of the Argentine second division, has five goals since turning pro as a teenager. His four goals over 20 games last summer turned him into an up-and-coming “No. 10”-type goal scorer, known as an offensive difference maker.
“He’s been on our radar. We started progressing a few weeks ago,” Rapids coach Oscar Pareja told The Denver Post, about the team’s interest in Rivero.
“He’s very active, he’s a natural playmaker,” Pareja said. “He’s a guy who works hard on both sides of the ball. He’s a good footballer, that’s why we’re bringing him in.”
The Rapids became interested after Pareja was hired in January. The team since then has been remaking its roster, moving from a defensive-minded squad to one more concerned with offensive flair.
. The team — one of the oldest and most successful in Argentina — balked at letting the go of Rivero’s burgeoning talent. Central and Rivero had been in a contract dispute for several weeks, according to Argentina newspapewr reports.
“It’s always a challenge, bringing a player to the MLS,” Pareja said.
Rapids also chasing Johnson
Johnson signed an allocation deal with MLS on Thursday. With the contract — details of which were not released by the league — MLS owns Johnson’s rights and he will be placed on a team today following the league’s allocation process.
“If the opportunity comes to us, he’s a player I’d like to have,” Pareja said.
Johnson, 27, played six seasons with FC Dallas from 2001-06, five of them as a teammate of Pareja’s. After two seasons in Kansas City, Johnson moved to Fulham of the English Premier League and tripped around Europe on loan deals until last year.
Nick Groke: 303-954-1015 or ngroke@denverpost.com
