HOUSTON – Houston finally got their man last week when they announced the signing of the franchise’s second Designated Player, bringing Honduran international Oscar Boniek García into the fold in a deal that took more than a year and three negotiations for the Dynamo to finalize.
Now that the ink is dry on the transfer papers, García is ready to prove the Dynamo's persistence was worthwhile.
WATCH: What García signing means for Houston
“It’s time to be able to reward that patience and confidence that [head coach Dominic Kinnear] and [president Chris Canetti] had for me in waiting for me for over a year," García told MLSsoccer.com through a translator Wednesday, "and I’m happy and appreciative of the opportunity.”
García, who is expected to get a look at right wing, is coming to Houston not to be the savior, but to add to an already solid Dynamo core. He will add some additional firepower to a squad that has weapons at several positions, including one of MLS’ top marksmen in Brad Davis, budding USMNT defender Geoff Cameron and burgeoning sophomore striker Will Bruin.
The 27-year-old García looks to be the perfect supplement and his job upon arrival will be to wreak havoc in the midfield with his ability to take defenders on and cause problems for the opposition regardless of where he lines up.
“I just want to come in and play,” he said. “I love to play as a winger on the right, but if the boss needs me to play defense or anywhere on the field, even as a forward, I’d be more than happy to participate where I am needed.”
While García looks to be a snug fit on the field, the midfielder believes the fit off the field will be just as good, even if there are some obstacles ahead.
Acknowledging the language barrier, García made a point that he will make an “immediate attempt” to learn English to become part of his new club and community. With that said, he feels that his transition off the field will be made easier by Houston's large Honduran community, which came out in droves to support García and Honduras last May against El Salvador at Robertson Stadium. To drive that feeling home, García sought the advice of a mutual acquaintance.
WATCH: Kinnear on landing DP García
“I talked to Carlo [Costly] and all he ever told me was, ‘Don’t think about it twice,' and to take the opportunity and make the best of it’” García said of his conversation with the former Dynamo striker. “He told me that it’s a good organization and good team and that I’ll be appreciated on and off the field.”
García hopes to have his work visa finalized by early next week, and is likely to make his debut June 30 at BBVA Compass Stadium when the Dynamo host the Philadelphia Union.
Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com.
