Minnesota United's to-be first designated player, Colombian attacking midfielder Darwin Quintero holds up a gifted scarf from supporters group True North Elite when he was welcomed by fans at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport on Wednesday, March 28. Andy Greder / Pioneer Press

Minnesota United's to-be first designated player, Colombian attacking midfielder Darwin Quintero signs a photo for fan Blanca Uribe of Robbinsdale, Minn., when she and about 25 other fans welcomed him at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport on Wednesday, March 28. Andy Greder / Pioneer Press

Minnesota United's to-be first designated playe Darwin Quintero works through a series of autographs during his greeting at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport on Wednesday, March 28. Andy Greder / Pioneer Press

Minnesota United's to-be first designated playe Darwin Quintero, right, poses for a selfie with a fan during a welcoming party for Quintero at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport on Wednesday, March 28. Andy Greder / Pioneer Press

Alejandra Vazquez, center, and her nephew and friend hold up a sign welcoming Minnesota United's to-be first designated player, Colombian attacking midfielder Darwin Quintero at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport on Wednesday, March 28. Andy Greder / Pioneer Press



Darwin Quintero was stopped by soccer fans every few feet for autographs and photos while walking though Mexico City’s airport terminal to his departure gate Wednesday afternoon.

Nicknamed “the scientist” after his namesake Charles Darwin, the 30-year-old Colombian has built up a strong following in Latin America.

That support is now with him in the North. When the attacking midfielder’s second flight touched down at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport a few hours later, a coordinated fan welcome party greeted the first Minnesota United player set to receive a salary in excess of at least $1 million.

“OHHH, DARWIN QUUUUINTEROOO! OHHH, DARWIN QUUUUINTEROOO!” about 25 diehard Loons supporters chanted when he walked through the arrivals gate at Terminal 2. He then signed more autographs and posed for more selfies.

In the club’s year-plus in Major League Soccer, the Loons have been the only one of the now-23 teams in the league to not have a “designated player,” one of three players each club can sign without budgetary restrictions. After previous efforts to sign a DP stalled last offseason, United is now set to acquire its first, a source said.

“It’s a huge step forward for the club, something we’ve needed for a long time,” fan Charlie Piotrowski said at the airport.

Quintero, who’s arriving from Club America in Mexico’s Liga MX, will undergo a physical and plans to finalize his contract Thursday afternoon. With MLS approval, Quintero’s signing is expected to become official Friday afternoon, the source said. Terms of the transfer fee, salary and length of contract have not been released.

As fans waited for Quintero to disembark from his connecting flight from Mazatlan, Mexico, and then pass through customs, a chauffeur arrived with a “Minnesota United FC” sign on her smartphone. Fans confirmed she was in the right spot but didn’t quite think her services were necessary. Outside of her earshot, they chimed in on how they were willing to give Quintero a lift in a family Ford Windstar minivan, a Dodge Neon, a Volvo or a Honda. The club soon outfitted her with a team scarf and she hung out, too.

United’s pursuit of Quintero included head coach Adrian Heath skipping training before the March 17 home opener against Chicago to fly to Panama with Loons sporting director Manny Lagos. They watched Quintero’s playmaking factor in all three America goals in a 3-1 road win against FC Tauro in the CONCACAF Champions League on March 14. During the personalized trip, they started the framework for a transfer deal. Related Articles Loons’ Adrian Heath, Kei Kamara believe they can strike simpatico partnership

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Quintero’s debut won’t come this weekend when the Loons plays Atlanta United on Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium, but he is expected to begin training with the club next week in Blaine. That will bum out some fans eager to see his contribution to a team that didn’t display a lot of attacking gusto in a 3-0 loss to New York Red Bulls last weekend.

Diehard Mexican fan Blanca Uribe, who was wearing a Colombian national team shirt, was the first person to arrive at the welcome party organized by supporters groups True North Elite and the Dark Clouds. She showed up at 7:30, with his flight set to arrive at 8:30 and him not coming through the doors until about 9.

“I heard the rumors, and when it was confirmed, I about fell out of my chair,” said Uribe, a Club America supporter and United season ticket holder.

Some accompanying travelers on the same flight were startled to see fans dressed in the club’s black and blue colors huddled around Door 6 as they exited. One woman in a pink sombrero, with matching sunburned skin, played along but didn’t really seem to know what was going on.

“Hey!” she said. “We’re here! Hola.”

With anticipation building, a pilot came through the automatic doors and received a collective sigh from the fans. But the main event wasn’t far behind.