Kansas City Wizards Sign Two International Players

Posted Friday, January 22, 2010 by Goal.com

Wizards Add Midfielder Stéphane Auvray of Guadeloupe, Defender Pablo Escobar of Colombia

The Kansas City Wizards announced Thursday that the club has signed two international players to Major League Soccer contracts.

Midfielder Stéphane Auvray of the Guadeloupe national team joins the Wizards after playing professionally in France for 10 years. Defender Pablo Escobar of Colombia comes to Kansas City after playing for Colombian powerhouse Deportivo Cali. Per League and team policy, financial terms of the agreements were not disclosed. Pending the finalization of their P-1 Visas, both players will join the Wizards for preseason preparations. Auvray is expected to report to the team next week at the start of training, with Escobar joining in mid-February.

Auvray, 28, was born on the island of Guadeloupe, an off-shore department of France. He left the island at age 14 to join the academy of French club Caen. He has played professionally in that country until now.

Auvray made his debut for the Guadeloupe national team during the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup, leading the team to a surprising run to the tournament semifinals. In that competition, Mexico eliminated Guadeloupe in the semis before falling to the United States in the Gold Cup Final. Auvray, a central midfielder, returned for the 2009 Gold Cup as Guadeloupe’s captain. Guadeloupe again qualified for the quarterfinals, falling to Costa Rica. Auvray scored his first international goal during the 2009 Gold Cup, netting the game-winner in a 2-0 group-stage victory over Nicaragua.

"We look forward to Stéphane joining the team,” Wizards Manager Peter Vermes said. “His experience playing in Europe, being the captain of the Guadalupe National Team and his leadership skills will make him a valuable asset to the Kansas City Wizards."

Escobar, 22, joins the Wizards from Colombian power Deportivo Cali. Before joining Cali in 2009, Escobar played for rival team Deportivo Quindio in the Colombian first division for three and a half years. Escobar, a central defender, was part of the famed Boca Juniors academy and the America de Cali academy.

"Signing Pablo in the winter transfer window has been a priority for us this off-season,” said Vermes. “He comes to Kansas City with the great opportunity to help solidify our back line."

However, it's possible that the signing of Escobar may be the first concrete move to ease out Wizards captain Jimmy Conrad. A trade has been rumored for the central defender for some time.