The Colorado Rapids added to their stable of South American talent on Thursday, announcing the expected signing of Chilean winger Kevin Harbottle. The 22-year-old winger and Chilean national teamer joins the Rapids from Chilean powerhouse Universidad Católica.
Harbottle will be eligible pending receipt of his P-1 work visa and International Transfer Certificate. Per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Kevin is a young, dynamic attacking player who will be a great fit for our squad this season,” Rapids technical director Paul Bravo. “At just 22 years old, he’s already proven he can play at a high level, and we look forward to helping him develop further as he integrates into our team and our league."
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Harbottle comes to Colorado having played in the top division in Chile since 2009, most recently with Universidad Católica, where he scored four goals in 32 league matches, helped the team to the 2011 Copa Chile, and also played four matches in the prestigious Copa Libertadores.
He spent 2010-11 at Unión Española, scoring four goals in 13 league matches and one goal in eight Libertadores games, and in the 2010 Apertura season, the winger scored six goals in 13 matches for O’Higgins FC. Harbottle made his professional debut for Deportes Antofagasta in the Chilean first division on June 6, 2008, at the age of 17.
In addition to his club experience, Harbottle was part of the Chilean Under-20 national team from 2008-2010 and has made one appearance with the senior national team, entering as a substitute in a 2-0 friendly victory over Trinidad and Tobago on May 5, 2010 in his hometown of Iquique.
