FRISCO, Texas - FC Dallas today announced the signing of former Argentina-youth international defender Marcos Charras. The 22-year-old left-sided player joins the Hoops after a recent spell at Quilmes of the Argentine First Division, where he arrived in September of 2005 following a six-month stint with Velez Sarsfield, also from the top division in Argentina. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"We've been searching for a while for a left-sided player," said FC Dallas Head Coach Colin Clarke. "I saw Marcos back in December and it's been a long-time happening to get him here but we're glad to have him here now. He's going to give us options on the left side. He's equally as comfortable as a fullback or a as midfielder, so he has good versatility and he likes to get forward into the attack."
As an 18-year old in 2002, Charras made the jump from the youth system of Rosario Central in Argentina to CSKA Sofia of the Bulgarian First Division. However, prior to joining CSKA, Charras was selected to be part of the practice team that trained against Argentina's National Team prior to the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan.
He made his debut with CSKA during league play in August 2002, and in October he played both legs of the club's UEFA Cup first round loss to Blackburn Rovers. The team went on to win the Bulgarian League for the 2002-03 season, in turn advancing to the 2003-2004 European Champions League qualifying rounds. Charras played in both legs in the Third Qualifying Round Champions League loss to Galatasaray in August 2003.
In January 2005, CSKA loaned Charras to Velez Sarsfield, and though he failed to see first team action, was part of the squad that was crowned champions of the Argentine Clausura tournament in July of that year. With a deep team, Charras moved on to Quilmes, where he made his Argentine First Division debut against Racing on November 20, 2005.
Charras has also had success on the international level with his native Argentina. Following the 'sparring team' experience prior to the 2002 World Cup, Charras was selected as one of two foreign-based players to be part of the Argentina's U-20 team that competed in the XXI South American Championships, which were held in Uruguay in January 2003. Charras started the first game of the tournament against Colombia but separated his shoulder in the final minutes, causing him to miss the remainder of the tournament which Argentina would go on to win.
During the summer of 2003, Charras was part of the Argentina U-20 team in the Toulon Youth Tournament in France. On June 13 against England's U-20 team, Charras scored the first goal only seven minutes into the game, which Argentina would go on to win 8-0.
Charras will be eligible to play this weekend against D.C. United and will occupy the fourth Youth International Slot available and will be on the Senior Roster. Forward Abe Thompson moves to the Developmental Roster. Finally, defender Miguel Guante was released.
