The New York Cosmos made veteran Spanish midfielder Ayoze their fourth signing this offseason. The 27-year-old left-winger comes to New York from Sporting Gijón, where he had played since 2010.
“Ayoze is a very talented player that has great experience in the top two divisions in Spain,” said Cosmos coach Giovanni Savarese.
“That experience should prove invaluable to our team this season. He also has the versatility to play anywhere on the left side. Combined with the energy he brings to the pitch every game, I think our fans are in for a real treat when he suits up in Cosmos colors.”
Here is a video compliation of Ayoze in action.
He would be considered a solid signing for most MLS teams; for a brand-new NASL team that hasn’t played a game yet, he’s a coup.
Ayoze, a native of the Canary Islands, debuted with hometown club CD Tenerife in 2004. After a spell on loan at third-division Las Palmas in 2004-05, he went back to Tenerife and became a regular fixture. He made 30 appearances in 2008-09 to help them earn promotion to la Liga, Spain’s top flight. He scored two goals in 25 appearances the next season; but after they were relegated, he left in May 2010.
Ayoze moved on to Sporting Gijón on a three-year contract, and made 13 appearances in 2010-11 to help them stay up in la Liga. He made another 15 appearances in 2011-12.
Considering the Cosmos have repeatedly said they plan to loan out players until they make their fall NASL debut, it remains to be seen where Ayoze will play until then.