FC Dallas signs Colombian striker Luis Perea

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FRISCO, Texas (Tuesday, March 13, 2012) – FC Dallas has signed 6’2″ Colombian striker Luis Perea, the club announced today. Per league and team policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed.

“We’re very happy to add Luis Perea to our roster,” said FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman. “He comes from an interesting soccer background. His father played for Colombia in the 1990 and 1994 World Cup. He came to the United States when he was 12 years old and finished high school in Florida before going back to Colombia to play professionally.”

A native of Medellin, Colombia, Perea spent his youth career with Atlético Nacional. In 2010, he appeared in 36 games for León de Huánuco, scoring 22 goals for the Peruvian side. The success led to a loan with Chilean football club Everton de Viña del Mar, where the young forward notched six goals in 13 games. Perea then remained in Peru to play for Universidad San Martin de Porres until the club folded earlier this month.

“We are very excited to have found another quality striker to add to our team,” said FC Dallas President and CEO Doug Quinn. “It is a testament to the immediate impact Fernando Clavijo has made on our club. We’re looking forward to seeing Luis with the rest of the team for what promises to be an exciting season here in Dallas.”

Perea’s father is former Colombian National Team defender Luis Carlos Perea. The senior Perea earned 78 caps for his country during an eight-year span and finished his professional career in 1998 with Independiente Medellin.

“Fernando Clavijo knew Luis’ family and was able to bring him in,” added Hyndman. “We were looking for a striker to compliment Blas and help us get through all the call-ups we expect to receive this season. We’ve heard a lot of good things about him. He’s a goal scorer and he’s got good size to him. There is always going to be an adjustment to MLS soccer, but we’re just glad to have him on our roster.“