Impact’s loan deal for Romero is a low-stakes crapshoot By Steven Sandor Posted on February 7, 2013 Comments Off on Impact’s loan deal for Romero is a low-stakes crapshoot 0 801 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter The Montreal Impact made a low-risk move Thursday, bringing in Argentine winger Andres Fabricio Romero in on loan for the 2013 season. Even if this is a “try before you buy” deal we so often see with loaned players, Romero offers little risk. If he works out, fine. If not, he costs you a international roster spot for a season, and then he’s sent back. Brazilian side Tombense Futebol Clube currently owns Romero’s rights. Last season, he played sparingly in both the Brazilian first and second division. Before going to Brazil, he was part of the Argentinos Juniors set up and was capped by his country at the U-20 level. “We’ve been talking about looking for an attacking player, a forward/winger, that is versatile and Romero fits that role,” said Impact sporting director Nick De Santis in a release issued by the club. “He’s played at a very high level in Argentina and Brazil. He’s at a good age and now it’s up to him to acclimatize to a new style of soccer. I think he’s going to bring a lot of speed and good technical qualities that will help make this team better.” Andres Fabricio Romero Acquiring South American players on loan isn’t an uncommon practice for North American teams. But one thing we do know — each player is a Jack in the Box, you never know what you are going to get. South American clubs are the best in the business when it comes to persuading other clubs into taking surplus players off their hands. You can’t always trust national-team call-ups; teams will often influence national teams to call up players for friendlies or unimportant tournaments so they’ll be easier to put in the shop window. Last year, at the NASL level, FC Edmonton brought in former Chilean U-20 and Colo-Colo forward Yashir Pinto to the fold on a loan deal, and the striker was clearly out of his element playing in North America. But, if the Impact have made no obligations to Romero outside of the season, it really doesn’t matter if he’s boom or bust. As well, the Impact is bringing Eber, a defensive midfielder who played in the lower Brazilian leagues last season, in for a trial.
