FRISCO, Texas – FC Dallas has signed Colombian midfielder Daniel Cruz, the club announced today.
“Daniel Cruz was a player we put on our discovery list probably back in February,” said FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman. “We felt like he could be one of those players who could contribute to our team and our style of play in the midfield, but he’s also versatile enough to be a second striker. He works on both sides of the ball. He’s extremely talented, very skillful. He’s got great experience, good vision and good tactical sense. He seems to be a man of good character. When you put all of those qualities together, I think he’s going to be a really good fit for FC Dallas.”
READ:Q&A with newly acquired midfielder Daniel Cruz
Cruz spent the majority of his professional career with Germinal Beerschot in the Belgian Pro League where he captained his side to a 2005 Belgian Cup title. The 30-year-old midfielder made more than 150 appearances in league play for Germinal Beerschot, tallying 12 goals.
He made his first team debut with for Ajax during the 2000-01 season after spending two years with the club’s reserve squad. He appeared in 11 matches for the first team during his initial season and stayed with Ajax until joining Germinal Beerschot in 2003.
Cruz spent his youth at Academia de Fútbol Tucumán in Cali, Colombia, where an AFC Ajax scout discovered the 17-year-old while he was training with the América de Cali first team. His father, José Luis Cruz, played for Club Atlético River Plate and América de Cali.
Daniel Cruz
Position: Midfielder
DOB: May 3, 1981
Hometown: Cali, Colombia
Birthplace: Cali, Colombia
Citizenship: Colombia
Acquired: Signed on Aug. 4, 2011
