They might not have a new coach but that hasn’t stopped Melbourne Victory from signing Costa Rican striker Jean Carlos Solorzano.
The 23-year-old marksman, who scored 11 goals for A-League champions Brisbane Roar in the recently-completed season, joins Victory on a one-year loan deal from LD Alajuelense.
His arrival comes at a time the club has not confirmed a replacement as coach for Ernie Merrick, who was sacked on March 12.
Victory football operations manager Gary Cole has defended the timing of Solorzano’s recruitment, saying he is the perfect replacement for Socceroo forward Robbie Kruse (Fortuna Dusseldorf).
“I think when a quality player like this is available you certainly don’t shy away from that and we think he’s going to be a fantastic asset,” Cole said.
“It’s fair to say most coaches around the world would take this player as a recruit. Jean Carlos has proved he’s a goal-scorer in the Hyundai A-League. Certainly right now everyone around our football department and club is excited by the fact we’ve signed Jean Carlos.”
Cole didn’t give much away when quizzed on how Victory’s search for a new top man was progressing.
“There’s significant work going on behind the scenes and I don’t have a timeline,” Cole said.
“All I can say is the process has commenced well and truly, and we’re trying to finalise the protocols right now. As soon as we’re in a position to make an announcement on that (new coach) we’ll be doing that.”
Solorzano joins countrymen Carlos Hernandez and Marvin Angulo in the Victorian capital, but Angulo is no certainty to be in Australia for the beginning of the 2011-12 HAL season.
The attacking midfielder is coming to the end of his two-year loan deal from Club Sport Herediano and the problem is Victory’s purse strings are very tight with an outright transfer regarded as not an option.
And neither does a loan deal following Cole’s comments when directly questioned on Angulo’s status.
“We’re probably not in a position to do that, I’m not going to confirm anything today,” Cole said.
As for Solorzano, he is just excited about continuing his Australian odyssey after revealing the Roar wasn’t in the financial position to offer him a new deal.
“We gave Brisbane Roar an opportunity to extend the contract, unfortunately they couldn’t commit,” Solorzano said.
“That’s when Melbourne Victory opened the doors for me. I’m excited to join a very good A-League club.”
Solorzano admitted the presence of Hernandez, like him a LD Alajuelense old boy, and Angulo had factored into his decision to head south.
“I feel like I’m right at home with them, sharing time with their families and I’m looking forward to playing with them,” he said.
In other Victory news, goalkeeper Michael Petkovic remains the only uncontracted player not yet signed, with speculation the former Socceroo stopper is eyeing off retirement following the club’s AFC Champions League campaign.
