After playing with Minnesota United on loan last season, midfielder Bernardo Añor has signed with the club ahead of the 2017 Major League Soccer season. The Venezuelan comes to the Loons from Sporting Kansas City, and has played five seasons in MLS.
Añor came to Minnesota in 2016 on a season-long loan during preseason training. After a promising start with the Loons, he suffered an ankle injury during training that sidelined him for much of the season. The Venezuelan-native managed to make a speedy recovery and played in a pair of games at the end of the 2016 campaign.
Using his skilled touch, Añor excels as a holdup player, allowing his team to get up the pitch and build a sustained attack. He works well along the wings and can also thrive in a central midfield role, acting as a pivot player to distribute the ball up the flanks.
He came to the U.S. in 2007 to play college soccer for the University of South Florida. Añor was the leading scorer for the Bulls in three of his four seasons, missing much of his sophomore year after suffering an ACL tear midway through the season.
He was selected 48th overall by Columbus Crew SC in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft and signed with the club shortly after. The midfielder made 13 appearances in his rookie season, and progressively earned more time with the club during his four-year tenure.
Añor was traded to Sporting Kansas City ahead of the 2015 season, where he managed to get 13 appearances in a crowded midfield, before joining the Loons on loan.
His father, also named Bernardo, was a professional soccer player in Venezuela, while his brother Juanpi currently plays for Málaga in Spain.
Join Minnesota United for the 2017 MLS Season at TCF Bank Stadium by purchasing season tickets today. Be there for every key match from the home opener on March 12 to the playoff push in October by calling 763.4SOCCER or visiting MNUFC.COM and selecting your seat.
TRANSACTION: Minnesota United has signed midfielder Bernardo Añor to Major League Soccer contract.
VITALS
Bernardo Añor
Position: Midfielder
Born: 5/24/1988
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 158
Last Club: Sporting Kansas City
Hometown: Caracas, Venezuela
Birthplace: Caracas, Venezuela
Citizenship: Venezuela
Twitter: @BernardoAnor
