Chester, Pa. (December 22, 2011) – Philadelphia Union today announced the acquisition of left back Porfirio Lopez, who was on loan with Costa Rican First Division champion Liga Deportiva Alajuelense from Chinese side Dalian Haichang. Lopez will be eligible to join the Union upon receiving his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate. Per MLS and Club policy, terms of the agreements were not disclosed.

The 26-year-old arrives in Philadelphia folllowing back-to-back Apertura and Clausura titles with Alajuelense in 2011. Playing primarily as a left back, Lopez has appeared in a total of 16 games this season. His first and lone goal in La Liga came in the 62nd minute of a 4-0 victory over Cartagines on Sept. 7, 2011.

The left back made his debut with Santos de Guapiles in 2005, playing in a total of 42 matches before moving to Puntarenas in 2009. Lopez saw action in 31 games with his new club, finding the back of the net on one occasion. In 2010, the defender moved to Chinese First Division side Dalian Haichang, notching two tallies in ten matches before returning to Costa Rica’s Alajuelense.



Name: Porfirio Lopez

Position: Left back

Height: 5-11

Weight: 172

Born: September 10, 1985

Birthplace: San Jose, Costa Rica

Citizenship: Costa Rica

Last Club: La Liga Alajuelense, on loan from Dalian Haichang