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Scorpions Add Walter Restrepo to 2014 Roster

January 7, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
San Antonio Scorpions News Release


The San Antonio Scorpions have signed Walter Restrepo, who is widely regarded as one of the best attacking players in the NASL, for the 2014 season, President Howard Cornfield and Head Coach Alen Marcina announced. Restrepo's rights were acquired by the Scorpions in a trade with Fort Lauderdale.

Restrepo finished the 2013 NASL season with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, scoring two goals 1,188 minutes of play. It was his first time back in action after recovering from knee surgery at the end of a brilliant 2012 campaign. Restrepo was named 2013 Ultras Player of the Year as Fort Lauderdale's most popular player in a vote by the fans.

During that season, Restrepo led the league with eight assists and added six goals to his name, helping him be named into the 2012 NASL Best XI. Restrepo played in 1,793 minutes in his first season with the Strikers and established himself as one of the best and most dynamic attacking players in the North American Soccer League.

"Walter is a technically gifted player that we hold in high regard who brings attacking flair and quality on the ball," said Marcina. "He has demonstrated the ability to be a dominating player in the NASL and he is focused on winning and earning an opportunity to play at higher levels. He is a player with a wide array of attacking weapons and is a game-changer and a terrific acquisition for our club."

Restrepo was born in San Diego and has played professionally with several teams in Colombia before he returned to the United States. Restrepo was on the books with Deportes Tolima, Boyacá ChicÃ", and Express Rojo, appearing in both the CategorÃ-a Primera A and the CategorÃ-a Primera B between 2006 and 2010. In 2011 he signed with the Strikers where he has spent the last three seasons.

The 25 year-old has international experience as well, representing the Colombian national team at the U-17 level. The creative midfield player joins fellow NASL standouts Danny Barrera and Shaun Saiko as recently added midfielders to the Scorpions roster, and the three players will provide an exciting brand of soccer in San Antonio.

"Walter will bring energy and excitement to our lineup and further solidifies a revamped roster that features four NASL Best XI players", said Cornfield. "The Scorpions would also like to thank Bill Brendel of the Crockett Hotel and Mark Thronson of Shark Limo, two long-term, great partners, for their incredible assistance. It was only through their assistance that we were able to get this deal done."

"It is a great pleasure for the Crockett Hotel to once again partner with the San Antonio Scorpions," stated Brendel, general manager of the Crockett Hotel . " We see a great fit for the Crockett Hotel, a historic facility in the heart of the city of San Antonio, joining with a NEW tradition in the city... We have been a part of tourism and hospitality in San Antonio since 1909 and see this new partnership as a perfect extension of our long term presence in the community. With the start of a new era for the Scorpions this Spring - we are excited to see what the future will bring for soccer fans in San Antonio"

Restrepo's signing brings to seven the number of players committed to the Scorpions for the 2014 season. Restrepo joins fellow newcomers Jonathan Fana, Danny Barrera, Shaun Seiko and returnees Tomasz Zahorski, Stephen Deroux and Greg Janicki.

Restrepo will begin preparations for training camp, which starts February 9.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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