The Oakland Roots announced that they have signed Venezuelan defender Alejandro Fuenmayor on Wednesday. He becomes head coach Juan Guerra’s first signing since joining the club.
“Alejandro is someone I know very well,” said Guerra, via the team’s official site. “He understands how much work and sacrifice are involved in building the right culture. He has won important things and I know is hungry for much more.”
Given he’s a defender, it will be interesting to see how Fuenmayor’s addition impacts Emrah Klimenta’s pending extension.
Fuenmayor, 25, originally signed on with Carabobo of Venezuela’s Primera División and made 71 appearances for the club from 2013-2018. It’s worth mentioning that Guerra played alongside Fuenmayor in 2013 and 2014. He helped Carabobo qualify for their first-ever Copa Libertadores and was named their Player of the Year in 2017.
From there, he signed on with the Houston Dynamos and made 38 caps from 2018-2021, scoring three goals in the process. He helped the Dynamos win the U.S. Open Cup in 2018.
TransferkMarkt lists Fuenmayor with a $220,000 market value, who typically lines up at center back and right back.
His appearances have been limited over the last few years in Houston. Since making 22 caps, one goal, and three assists in 2018, the central defender made eight appearances in 2019, five in 2020, and just three last season.
In 2021, Fuenmayor started all three of his appearances and played a full 270 minutes, recording three successful tackles in as many attempts, 14 clearances, five interceptions won, and an average rating of 6.51, according to FotMob.
He also has experience in the USL Championship after making six starts on loan with Rio Grande Valley in 2019. That season, Fuenmayor recorded one shot attempt, completed 312 passes, one key pass, two dribbles, seven successful tackles in as many attempts, nine clearances, and eight interceptions in 481 total minutes.
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