SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that the club has signed Argentinean defender Andres Imperiale, pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and ITC. Imperiale has been primarily used as a center back over his career and also has experience at left back. Per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

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 power 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. “We have a strong core group of defenders and Andres will fit right in.”

Imperiale came up in the youth system of Rosario Central of the Argentinean Primera División, making his first team debut in 2005. After a short-term loan to San Martín (Argentina) in 2008, Imperiale was transferred to Oriente Petrolero (Bolivia) on February 1, 2009. He then joined Bolivian side Blooming Santa Cruz before moving to Doxa Katokopias of the Cyprus First Division in July of 2010. He later signed on with Aris Limassol, also of the Cyprus First Division, on January 1, 2011.

One year later, Imperiale returned to South America, joining Chilean side Universidad Concepción, where he remained for three years, helping the club become the 2013 Primera B champions and earn promotion to the Campeonato Nacional. He later joined Deportivo Saprissa in January of 2015 and helped lead the club to a 2015 Costa Rican championship.

Transaction: San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) – Earthquakes sign D Andres Imperiale.

Andres Imperiale

Position: Defender

Height: 6-1

Weight: 172

Born: July 8, 1986 in Rosario, Argentina

Hometown: Rosario, Argentina

Last Club: Deportivo Saprissa (Costa Rica)

College: NA

Citizenship: Argentina