The Colorado Rapids continued to bolster their defense Friday, announcing the signing of Honduran international Maynor Figueroa.
He’ll be added to the club’s roster pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate, joining fellow incoming defender Sean St Ledger, whose signing was announced earlier Friday.
“We have been tracking Maynor for some time, so we are delighted to have finally secured his services,” Rapids VP of soccer operations and technical director Paul Bravo said in a statement. “He has vast experience in one of the best leagues in the world and his versatility will be an asset to us during the second half of the season. We look forward to welcoming him to our club.”
Figueroa comes to Colorado after playing at English Premier League side Hull City the previous two seasons, making 45 appearances in that span. To facilitate this signing, made using Targeted Allocation money, the Rapids acquired an international roster slot from Sporting Kansas City in exchange for general allocation money.
The versatile 32-year-old has operated at left back or center back during his last eight seasons in the Premier League. Initially, he joined Wigan Athletic on loan in 2008 from Honduran side Olimpia, but the deal was made permanent the following year.
In total, Figueroa played 200 games for Wigan, scoring six goals. He has an FA Cup winners’ medal but missed the 2013 final against Manchester City. However he did start every other game in the competition that season and scored the opening goal in the 3-0 win over Everton in the Sixth Round.
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Figueroa has amassed 113 caps for Honduras, scoring four goals. He has represented his country at three CONCACAF Gold Cups and started all three games in the 2015 tournament last month, including the 2-1 defeat to the US. He also appeared at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups plus the 2012 Olympics.
In addition, the Rapids loaned Dominique Badji to the Charlotte Independence, the club’s USL affiliate, for the remainder of the season, while Ben Newnam has been waived.
