San Jose Earthquakes sign veteran Argentine defender Andres Imperiale

Andres Imperiale - San Jose Earthquakes - Saprissa

The San Jose Earthquakes have added a much-needed defensive piece ahead of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft in Argentine defender Andres Imperiale, the club announced Wednesday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, per team and league policy.


Imperiale, 29, has played in the top divisions of Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Cyprus and Bolivia since making his professional debut in 2005. He comes to San Jose from Costa Rican powerhouse Deportivo Saprissa after helping the club win the winter championship in December.


"Andres is an experienced player that we think will be a good addition to the team," said Earthquakes general manager John Doyle in a statement. "We have a strong core group of defenders and Andres will fit right in."



Imperiale bolsters the depth on an experienced but at times thin backline. The defender has been primarily used as a center back over his career but also has experience at left back.