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Panama youth international striker Saed Diaz has been acquired on loan from Tauro FC for the 2019 season, Bethlehem Steel FC announced on Friday.
“We believe he was the best striker from the recent CONCACAF U-20 Championship, a player with significant potential,” Philadelphia Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner said of Diaz in a news release. “We’re looking forward to getting him started at Bethlehem and integrated into our system. He is an excellent young prospect that represents precisely why Bethlehem Steel FC is an important piece in our development framework.”
Diaz, who turns 20 in June, had four goals and three assists for Panama in the competition. He’s being loaned from Tauro FC, which is also the club home of fellow Panama youth international Adalberto Carrasquilla, who trialed with Bethlehem Steel FC in October.
The loan deal includes a purchase option, according to a social media post from Tauro FC.
“We are very excited to be adding another exciting, young attacking talent to the group for 2019”, Steel FC head coach Brendan Burke said in a news release. “Saed Diaz is big, athletic and displays a willingness to work hard without the ball. We think he will fit and develop well with us.”
His older brother, Ismael Diaz, spent time on trial with FC Red Bull Salzburg when Tanner was with the club.
Diaz’s acquisition gives the Steel four players (of a minimum 12) for the 2019 roster. Michee Ngalina, Faris and Selmir Miscic are the only other players currently on the roster. Captain James Chambers is, however, expected to return.