Minnesota United announced today the club has signed Paraguayan forward Luis Amarilla, coming off a career, title-winning year with Universidad Católica in Eduador, on loan from Vélez Sarsfield from Argentina’s Primera División. This is a 12-month loan from Vélez Sarsfield, using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM), with an option to buy. Amarilla will join the Loons pending a physical and receipt of his P1 Visa and ITC. Additionally, Amarilla will occupy an international spot on Minnesota’s roster.
“Luis is someone that will be a big addition for us up front,” said MNUFC Technical Director Mark Watson. “He’s a goalscorer. He was a Vélez player but on loan at Católica in Ecuador and watching his goals, his movement, he’s got everything we’re looking for in a striker. Adrian saw him live earlier in the year and was really impressed. On top of it, he’s someone who has a great work rate. He fights, he runs, and he’s going to fit in really well with our club philosophy.”
The 24-year-old goalscorer spent the 2019 season with Universidad Católica of Ecuador’s Liga PRO where he scored 19 goals in 24 game appearances to lead the league in the recently concluded Serie A season. Prior to being loaned out, Amarilla spent the 2017 and 2018 season with Argentina’s Vélez Sarsfield, where he made a total of 12 game appearances over two seasons. The former 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. Internationally, Amarilla has played for the U20 Paraguay National Team, making five game appearances in 2015 with one goal vs. Peru in the 2015 South American Championship.
“One of the things we thought we had to address moving into the season was finishing a higher proportion of the chances we create,” said Head Coach Adrian Heath. “We think Luis will help us in that category. We had some tight games last year — especially at home — that we should have put away. To do that, you need somebody who’s a fox-in-the-box, a guy who can finish it when it comes across the face of goal, and he’s got really good movement. He’s a good age, 24, can link up with people, can play into midfield, but most importantly, he gets all types of goals. Off the goalkeeper, five yards out, overhead kicks, headers, benders, you name it.”
Tickets for the 2020 season at Allianz Field will go on-sale in early 2020, with special presales for season ticket members, members of The Preserve and subscribers to the MNUFC newsletter before the general public. Visit mnufc.com/preserve for more info on The Preserve and mnufc.com/newsletter for more info on subscribing to the newsletter.
Transaction: Minnesota United signs Luis Amarilla on 12-month loan using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM).
VITALS
Luis Amarilla
Position: Forward
Date of birth: 08.25.1995 (24 years old)
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 163 lbs
Last club: Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield
Hometown: Areguá, Paraguay
Citizenship: Paraguay
