With the close of the MLS primary transfer window on Monday, at least one team was able to sign a player before the deadline.
The Colorado Rapids announced the acquisition of Colombian defender Germán Mera on loan from Deportivo Cali through the end of the 2013 season. The 23-year-old played a total of 56 matches for Deportivo across all competitions over the past three seasons, including the 2011 Copa Sudamericana.
“Germán is a big, strong and talented young defender with experience at the top level in Colombia,” Rapids technical director Paul Bravo said in a statement. “Bringing him in gives us some good depth along the backline, as he can play both centrally and on the left. We’re looking forward to welcoming him to the club.”
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There is a connection between Mera's parent and new clubs. Deportivo Cali are coached by Leonel Álvarez, who played in MLS for two stints (1996, 1998-2001) with Dallas and New England. He was a former teammate of Rapids head coach Oscar Pareja, both in MLS and with the Colombian national team.
A source close to the negotiations told FutbolMLS.com that Álvarez gave Mera his blessing on the move.
