Luis Paradela Signs with Football Club in Costa Rica

July 10, 2022

Cuban striker Luis Paradela, from Asociación Deportiva Santos de Guápiles, signed with Costa Rican club Deportivo Saprissa for the upcoming 2022 Opening Tournament, confirmed by several local media outlets.

It was a negotiation between two Costa Rican institutions, so the transfer will take immediate effect. The Cuban had six more months remaining on his contract with Santos, but decided to leave to seek a fresh start at a different club. He was also sought after by other Costa Rican clubs such as Herediano, Alajuelense, and Cartaginés.

"I can confirm that there have been conversations, we're close to finalizing everything for the conclusion of a negotiation, there is an economic agreement between Paradela and Saprissa… an immediate transfer. Alajuelense and Herediano were in talks, but Paradela chose a certain project where he can play many minutes and have a starting position without having to come from the bench," said his agent, Simone Ghirlanda in an interview with Yashin Quesada on Encuentro Deportivo.

"Many clubs were interested, including some that can't compete with the big teams in Costa Rica. There was very good interest from Portland Timbers (MLS) but due to a rule about occupying foreign player spots with players under 22, we went in another direction. There was also talk with Aalesunds from Norway but we were very concerned about how long visas are taking now that the season has already started," added the Cuban's representative.

Paradela in Costa Rica
In the same vein, Santos general manager Kiang Yep confirmed that only a few signatures remained to finalize Paradela's transfer to Saprissa. Paradela will be the third reinforcement for the purple squad for the upcoming season following the arrivals of Diego Mesén and Pablo Arboine.

In January 2021, striker from Matanzas Luis Javier Paradela was signed by Santos de Guápiles, a team that competes in Liga Promérica (First Division of Costa Rican Football).

Paradela came to the Costa Rican League after an international stint in the USL Championship, in Guatemala and El Salvador, where Santos brought him in by paying his release clause.