MLS Columbus Crew SC

Crew Signs Costa Rican Forward Olman Vargas

January 6, 2012 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Columbus Crew SC News Release


COLUMBUS - The Columbus Crew announced today that it has signed Costa Rican forward Olman Vargas to a multi-year contract, pending receipt of his ITC and P-1 work visa. Per club and league policy, no further terms of the deal were disclosed.

The 26-year-old striker joins the Crew from Club Sport Herediano of the Costa Rican First Division, where he scored 17 goals over the last two seasons and helped the team reach the final of the 2011 Apertura season.

"Olman is a tall, physical forward who promises to be a great addition to our club," said Crew head coach Robert Warzycha. "He has good speed, a good touch and he works extremely hard."

The 6-2, 174-pound native of San Jose, Costa Rica, began his career in 2007 with Carmelita of the Costa Rican Second Division, where he appeared in 38 matches and scored 14 goals over two seasons.

While at Carmelita, Vargas was noticed by storied First Division club Deportivo Saprissa which signed him for the 2009-10 season. While at Saprissa, he appeared in eight regular-season matches, scoring one goal. He also appeared in both CONCACAF Champions League matches against the Crew that year, including the Black & Gold's historic 1-0 win at Saprissa's famous stadium, known as the "Monster's Cave," on Sept. 16, 2009, which marked the first time an MLS club had ever won there.

Vargas was loaned to Brujas F.C. de Desamaparados for the end of the 2009-10 season. In 2010 he was loaned to Herediano, which he guided into the 2010 Apertura playoffs and the final of the 2011 Apertura where it lost to Alajuelense in a penalty shootout.

Founded by American sports pioneer Lamar Hunt, the Columbus Crew is Ohio's Major League Soccer club, anchoring a diverse sports and entertainment enterprise. One of the league's Charter Members, it won its first MLS Cup championship in 2008 and has also won the 2002 U.S. Open Cup and MLS Supporters' Shield titles in 2004, 2008 and 2009. It is entering its 17th season overall and 14th at first-of-its-kind Crew Stadium.

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