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Chivas USA Acquire English Midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker

August 21, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


CARSON, Calif. (Thursday, Aug. 21, 2014) - Chivas USA announced today that the club has acquired midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker from Vancouver Whitecaps FC in exchange for midfielder Mauro Rosales. Reo-Coker, 30, joins the Red-and-White after nearly two seasons with Vancouver, where he made 39 starts in 44 appearances, recording a goal and six assists. The England native will occupy an international roster spot and will be eligible to make his club debut upon receipt of his P1-Visa.

"Nigel is a fantastic box-to-box player that has proven to be a leader in this league," said Chivas USA Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera. "He is an unbelievably versatile player. We feel he can help us with his defending as well as going forward in the attack. We see his experience, leadership and great technique helping us in a lot of ways."

A committed and hard-working midfielder, Reo-Coker emerged from the youth ranks at Wimbledon FC. At age 18, the London native earned his first captaincy role with the Dons' senior squad, and went on to play 11 years in the English Premier League, where he also captained Aston Villa, Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United before making his move to Major League Soccer last year.

While with West Ham from 2003-07, the midfielder played a key role in the team's promotion to the country's top division, and helped lead the club to a spot in the FA Cup Championship against Liverpool FC. However, a last-minute goal by Steven Gerrard that equalized the final at 3-3 prevented the East London side from lifting the trophy, as they eventually fell in the penalty round.

At the international level, Reo-Coker has represented England from the Under-20 ranks all the way up to the senior national team. Having made 23 appearances for England's U-21 squad, the midfielder's leadership skills were instrumental in England's run to the Semifinals of the 2007 UEFA U-21 Championship. The Londoner was named as a standby for the 2006 World Cup but was replaced after suffering an injury.

Chivas USA square off against the New England Revolution this Saturday in the clubs' lone meeting of the regular season beginning at 4:30 p.m. (PT) at Gillette Stadium. The match will be televised on KDOC-TV LA56 as well as Time Warner Cable Deportes and can also be heard on ESPN Deportes Radio KWKW 1330 AM. For more information visit cdchivasusa.com and follow the club on Twitter and Facebook.

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