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9/13/19 Update: It took a month, but the Swope Park Rangers officially added left back Luis Julian Oliveira on loan from Club Atletico Atenas (Uruguay Second Division). He signed with Atenas after mutually agreeing to part ways with River Plate earlier in the summer and will join the Rangers on loan. It’s unclear how long the loan is for as the USL Championship season is nearing it’s conclusion.
On Friday, a rumor came out that Sporting Kansas City’s USL Championship team, the Swope Park Rangers, were were adding Argentine left back Luis Oliveira to their roster.
It sounds like Swope Park is adding Argentinian left back Luis Olivera from River Plate @SwopeRangers @USLChampionship
— Thad (@TheBackpost) August 9, 2019
The rumor came from our site manager, Thad Bell. If you know Thad, he won’t say anything that isn’t pretty rock solid. We can’t tell you how many Tweet drafts never go out.
Oliveira previously played for one of the biggest clubs in Argentina, Club Atletico River Plate (or just River Plate for short). About a week ago, the team and player agreed to mutually terminate his contract that would have ran through June of 2020.
According to Transfermarkt, Oliveira has 23 appearances for River Plate in all competitions in his career. He also spent time in the Uruguay first division (Primera Division) with River Plate’s Uruguay team, Atletico River Plate Montevideo (an additional six appearances).
Outside of playing with those two versions of River Plate, he also spent time with their U-20 club and River Plate II.
He is still a young prospect, turning 21 in October on the 24th. It appears he’s exclusively lined up at left back which is a position of strength currently for the Rangers. They have Alexsander lining up there, but he’s only on loan from Athletico Paranaense (Brazil). He is also about to turn 21 but in September.
Even if Alexsander was around on a long-term contract, the move makes a lot of sense. SPR have been loading up on young international talent and it gives a chance for the team to evaluate players without taking up an international spot on the Sporting KC roster. In addition, Alex is so dynamic in attack, he could be used on the wing and both young South Americans could be on the field at the same time. Plus, it’s hard to turn down someone with the pedigree to play for one of the top teams in Argentina.
According to the story of his release, he was in negotiations with Villa Dálmine and Atlanta, two teams in Premera B, the second division of Argentina football.
The Blue Testament will bring you more on this story as it becomes available.