GUADALAJARA, Mexico – United States international midfielder José Francisco “Gringo” Torres has completed a move from Pachuca to Tigres UANL, Pachuca announced in a statement on Friday.
“We thank ‘Gringo’ Torres for his professionalism, dedication and love of the shirt during his time at Pachuca, from playing in youth teams to his debut in the Apertura 2006 to consolidating himself in the first team,” read a statement on the club's website.
Torres, 25, left Longview, Texas, as a teenager to try his luck with the Tuzos and won the Mexican Clausura in 2007 with the club as well as the CONCACAF Champions League in 2007, 2008 and 2010.
Torres made more than 150 league appearances in total for Pachuca and also featured for the Tuzos in the Copa Libertadores as well as the Club World Cup, earning his first US cap in 2008 after initially turning down a chance to play for the Stars and Stripes at the 2008 Olympics.
At Tigres, the 2010 World Cup veteran is likely to feature in center midfield alongside Mexico international Carlos Salcido, although competition for places with the 2011 Apertura championship winners is high. Although Tigres finished in 12th place in the Apertura 2012 regular season, they are still considered one of the strongest teams in the Liga MX.
As one American comes into Tigres, another, Jonathan Bornstein, is likely to leave the club this winter after the Monterrey side transfer listed him last week.
Tom Marshall covers Americans in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com. Contact him at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
