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Columbus Crew SC

Crew Signs Argentine Defender Gino Padula

March 24, 2008 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Columbus Crew SC News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Crew announced today that it has signed Argentine left back Gino Padula. Per club and league policy, no further terms of the deal were disclosed. Padula will join the Crew upon approval of his P-1 visa work permit.

The 31-year-old Padula trained with the Crew during its recent preseason trip to England and appeared in the club's exhibition match vs. Everton FC on March 7.

"We have been looking for an experienced left back are were able to find one in Gino Padula," said Crew head coach Sigi Schmid. "He is a good technical player with a great deal of experience in the English and French leagues and he adds another veteran presence to our back line."

Padula began his career with Argentine club Atlético River Plate in 1996, before moving to Club Atlético Huracán in 1997. In 1998, he moved to Europe to play for Xerez CD in Spain. Following his time with Xerez, Padula played in English football between 1999 and 2006.

His first club in England was Bristol Rovers, and after a short spell there, he went on to Walsall FC where he appeared in 25 games before joining Wigan Athletic in 2000. Padula saw action in six games, scoring one goal for the Latics, before heading to Queen's Park Rangers in 2002. Padula became a cult figure during his time at Loftus Road, where he scored five goals in 90 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops. After his time with QPR, Padula joined Nottingham Forest in 2005, where he made five appearances with the Reds. He most recently played with Montpellier HSC of the French Ligue 2, where he made seven appearances.

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