Barros Schelotto psyched for Crew (20 Apr 2007 09:52 GMT)
Argentine soccer star Guillermo Barros Schelotto signed a one-year contract with the United States's Columbus Crew.
Terms were not revealed.
Barros Schelotto, 33, is one of the most popular and famous soccer stars in Argentina. He has helped the Boca Juniors club win 15 titles, scoring 87 goals in 302 matches over almost a decade.
"It's going to be a beautiful experience to come to the United States," Barros Schelotto, who has traveled extensively on vacation and also while playing soccer, said through a translator.
He will fly to Columbus on Sunday or Monday and will spend next week with his new team. After returning to Argentina to pick up his family, he will rejoin the Crew.
He could play his first game as soon as May 5.
Barros Schelotto said he was in playing shape and that it would not take more than a couple of games to adapt to the style of play in the Major Soccer League.
Columbus general manager Mark McCullers spent Monday with Barros Schelotto and his family in Argentina.
"He brings not only tremendous skill, but also a passion, leadership and winning expectation to our club," McCullers said.
Barros Schelotto is expected to be a major draw for Hispanic and Latino soccer fans. He acknowledged that one of the reasons he decided to play in the U.S. was "contributing to this growing league ... that could be one of the best leagues in the world within the next couple of years."
source : SI.com