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Chivas USA Adds Three Mexican Players to Roster

February 22, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


CARSON, Calif. (Friday, February 22, 2013) - Chivas USA today acquired three young Mexican players from its sister club Chivas Guadalajara. Edgar "El Chore" Mejia, Giovani Casillas and Mario de Luna have been added to the Rojiblancos' roster on loan and are now under the guidance of new Head Coach Jose Luis Sanchez Sola "El Chelis." All three players were acquired on loan; however Chivas USA will have the option to complete the transfer. While De Luna has been added to the roster, "El Chore" and Casillas will be officially added upon receipt of their ITCs in the next few days. Per league and club policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed.

Mejia is a 24-year-old midfielder born in Guadalajara and a product of Guadalajara's youth academy and can also play on the back line. The versatile addition made his debut in Mexico's First Division during the Apertura 2006 on Nov. 11, playing the entire 90 minutes against Jaguares de Chiapas in week 17 of the tournament. As a member of Chivas, Mejia was able to fulfill every soccer player's dream as part of Guadalajara's championship team that took the crown that same tournament.

"El Chore" was also an integral part of Mexico's youth national teams. Mejia was part of the original Under-17 group that eventually went on to capture the 2005 World Cup in Peru. Unfortunately, an injury during practice left him unable to participate in the tournament or be part of the squad that made Mexican soccer history.

Casillas, who turned 19 in January, is a Guadalajara-born forward that made his debut in First Division during the Apertura 2011 against Pumas UNAM. Casillas became the second member of Mexico's 2011 U-17 World Cup-winning team to make his pro debut.

As a member of the U-17 squad in the 2011 World Cup played in Mexico, Casillas scored the second goal in the championship match, sealing the 2-0 victory against Uruguay at Estadio Azteca.

De Luna, 25, a center back from the state of Aguascalientes, made his professional debut with Chivas Guadalajara in the First Division in November of 2008 while visiting Puebla FC during the Apertura tournament.

Like Casillas and Mejia, De Luna is a product of Chivas' youth academy. The defender recorded 630 minutes in Copa Libertadores 2010, which earned him a starting spot with Guadalajara's First Team the following tournament in First Division. During the Apertura 2010, Clausura 2011 and Apertura 2011, the defender made 13 or more starts in each tournament.

De Luna has recorded two goals in First Division: his first coming against Puebla FC during the Apertura 2009 and most recently against Tigres UANL in the Clausura 2011 quarterfinals.

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