FC Dallas have signed Peruvian national team goalkeeper Raúl Fernández, the club announced on Thursday. Per team and league policy the terms of the deal will not be disclosed.
“Raúl Fernández is a very athletic goalkeeper who has gained a lot of experience playing internationally with Peru,” FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman said in a statement. “He has a strong command of the box and will compete for the starting position with FC Dallas. He is an extremely motivated individual. I expect he will embrace this opportunity.”
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Fernández, 27, got his start in the youth system of Universitario de Deportes of the Peruvian first division. He made his professional debut with the club in a 1-1 draw with Union Huaral on July 31, 2005. Fernández went go on to play in 143 matches for Universitario between his debut and 2010. Universitario are regarded as the top club in Peru.
He was signed by OGC Nice of the French first division in December of 2010. The 6-foot-1 goalkeeper appeared in two matches for the four-time French Ligue 1 champions since his debut on Aug. 31, 2011. Fernández backstopped Nice in a 2-1 victory over Toulouse in the third round of Coupe de la Ligue.
A native of Lima, Peru, Fernández has earned 21 international caps with the Peruvian national team since March 26, 2008.
