Minnesota United announced today that the club has transferred Paraguayan international forward Luis Amarilla to Mazatlan FC of LIGA MX for an undisclosed fee.
With MNUFC, Amarilla made 53 regular-season appearances – 40 starts – where he scored 13 goals and provided six assists, playing just over 3,500 minutes in his three seasons with the Loons. In 2023 action, the forward scored two goals in his 13 regular-season game appearances, along with one goal scored in the U.S. Open Cup fixture against Detroit City FC.
Amarilla returned to Minnesota ahead of the 2022 season, this time as a Designated Player. Initially on the 2020 squad while on loan, he missed the majority of the 2020 season with an ankle injury, scoring three goals and providing one assist in ten games. The Paraguayan-international finished the 2022 campaign second in goals scored for the Loons, scoring nine and providing five assists. He was named to MLS Team of the Week twice, first in Week 23 following his first brace with MNUFC against Portland Timbers, and again in Week 27. Amarilla was a part of the attacking quartet that had the Loons on a 13-game scoring streak from June 19 through August 27. In that timeframe, Amarilla had a four-game point streak, providing either a goal or assist from June 25 to July 8.
Prior to his return to Minnesota in 2022, Amarilla spent the 2021 season on loan with Liga Deportiva Universitaria (LDU) Quito, where he scored 15 goals and helped the Ecuadorian Liga PRO side win the league championship. Additionally, he played in Copa Libertadores, Supercopa Educador and Copa Sudamericana during the 2021 season. In 2019, Amarilla was on loan with Universidad Católica of Ecuador’s Liga PRO where he scored 19 goals in 24 game appearances to lead the league in the Serie A season. Prior to being loaned out, Amarilla spent the 2017 and 2018 seasons with Argentina’s Vélez Sarsfield, where he made 12 game appearances over two seasons. The Paraguayan-international began his professional career in Paraguay at Club Libertad of the first division in 2013-2016, making 13 game appearances, but was on loan during the 2014 and 2016 seasons to Club 3 de Febrero and Sol de America, respectively.
Transaction: Minnesota United transfers forward Luis Amarilla to Mazatlan FC for an undisclosed fee.
Vitals:Luis Amarilla
Position: Forward
Date of birth: 08.25.1995 (27 years old)
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 163
Birthplace: Aregua, Paraguay
