The San Jose Earthquakes hope German efficiency can help reinforce their defensive flank in 2014.
On Tuesday, the Quakes announced the signing of former Bayern Munich right back Andreas Görlitz pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and international transfer certificate. Per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Andreas is an experienced veteran that has played at the highest level in Germany and with the German national team,” Earthquakes head coach Mark Watson said in a statement. “He has trained with us over the past month and has shown that he will be a good addition to our squad. We are happy to have him in San Jose.”
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Görlitz, 32, joins the Earthquakes after 12 years in the German professional ranks. He began his career with TSV 1860 Munich in 2001 and made 37 Bundesliga appearances over his three seasons there. After being relegated at the end of the 2003-04 campaign, 1860 transferred Görlitz to Bayern Munich.
He started five games in his first year with the German giants, making two UEFA Champions League appearances and earning a pair of national team caps. However, a torn ACL in a Champions League match against Juventus sidelined him until 2006.
Görlitz returned to action for Bayern Munich II, before being loaned to Karlsruher SC from 2007-09, which paved the way for a brief return to Bayern for the 2009-10 season, his last in Munich. He spent the next three seasons with FC Ingolstadt 04 and made 63 appearances for Die Schanzer before playing out his contract and making his way to the Earthquakes.
“Andreas is an excellent right back with a ton of experience,” Quakes general manager John Doyle said in a statement. "He’s great at getting forward and we’re excited to have him join the club."
Görlitz made two appearances for Germany’s senior team. He debuted as a second-half substitute in a friendly against Brazil on Sept. 8, 2004, and went a full 90 against Iran on Oct. 9, 2004. He also saw action in the youth ranks, earning a spot on Germany’s 1999 FIFA U-17 World Cup squad and suiting up for the U-21s at the 2004 European Championship.
