Cosmos Bolster Attack With Venezuelan International Juan Arango

The New York Cosmos announced Thursday the signing of midfielder Juan Arango. 

Venezuela’s all-time leader in appearances (127) and goals (23), Arango last featured for Mexican first division club Xolos de Tijuana, where he scored 11 times in 45 matches from 2014-15. Prior to Xolos he spent 10 productive seasons in Europe, split between La Liga’s RCD Mallorca (2004-09) and the Bundesliga’s Borussia Mönchengladbach (2009-14).

“Juan is a player who has demonstrated great quality throughout his career,” said head coach and sporting director Giovanni Savarese, a former Venezuelan international himself. “He brings a tremendous amount of skill and experience with him and his leadership, on and off the pitch, will be very important for us this year.”

Arango, 35, was born in Maracay, Venezuela and turned pro at age 16 with Nueva Cádiz, a first division team in his home country. Soon after he moved to Mexico, where he suited up for Monterrey, Pachuca, and Puebla before settling in Spain at Mallorca.

“I’m pleased to have this opportunity to sign with a legendary club like the New York Cosmos,” Arango said. “Another key factor for me for joining the club is my relationship with Gio, I’m looking forward to joining him again since our time together at Caracas FC.”

With Arango as captain, the Venezuelan national team placed fourth in Copa América 2011, its highest finish in the storied continental tournament. Arango has represented his country in six editions of the competition.