EIGHT MONTHS AFTER calling time on an illustrious career, Raul has officially signed a two-year contract with New York Cosmos.
The 37-year-old, who scored 323 goals for Real Madrid, will be available to play for the American franchise during the 2015 season as well as fulfilling the role of technical director to the club’s newly-established academy.
He will make his debut for the club made famous by Pele in the 1970s when the North American Soccer League – the second tier of American football – resumes in the spring of next year.
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Raul was unveiled at a press conference yesterday and admitted he was looking forward to getting back on the pitch but also excited about the prospect of working with the next generation of players in the States.
“Everyone throughout the soccer world knows the Cosmos name and the legacy of the players that played for the team previously,” he said. ”I believe in this club’s vision and I’m excited to be a part of that.
“I have a contract for two years. I will try to play those two years, but it might be one, maybe two, maybe even three years,” Raul added.
“If the body says this is it in six months, I will be more involved in the academy. I moved here with something in mind – bringing my family to enjoy New York, which is one of the best cities in the world, and I’m committed to that. There are no limits and no deadlines. I will hopefully play for many, many, many years.”
He will become the third former La Liga player to be on the books at the Cosmos AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
The club’s owner, Seamus O’Brien, continues to invest heavily in the project with the target for the Cosmos to return to Major League Soccer in the near future.
Last year, the club announced plans to build a new stadium in Belmont Park costing $400 million. Raul will join-up with former Spanish team-mate Marcos Senna in the Big Apple after the veteran midfielder last season.
“We’re obviously thrilled to add a player of his quality to the team,” Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese said. “Raul’s skill and ability is world renowned. He’s a world-class player and he adds a whole new dimension to our attack.”
The Cosmos returned to action in 2013 after nearly 30 years of inactivity and have already made waves in their first two years back in business. However, the emergence of New York City – a sister club of Manchester City – has restricted their growth.
New York Cosmos unveil Spanish legend Raul after the striker reversed his decision to retire
EIGHT MONTHS AFTER calling time on an illustrious career, Raul has officially signed a two-year contract with New York Cosmos.
The 37-year-old, who scored 323 goals for Real Madrid, will be available to play for the American franchise during the 2015 season as well as fulfilling the role of technical director to the club’s newly-established academy.
He will make his debut for the club made famous by Pele in the 1970s when the North American Soccer League – the second tier of American football – resumes in the spring of next year.
Raul was unveiled at a press conference yesterday and admitted he was looking forward to getting back on the pitch but also excited about the prospect of working with the next generation of players in the States.
“Everyone throughout the soccer world knows the Cosmos name and the legacy of the players that played for the team previously,” he said. ”I believe in this club’s vision and I’m excited to be a part of that.
“I have a contract for two years. I will try to play those two years, but it might be one, maybe two, maybe even three years,” Raul added.
“If the body says this is it in six months, I will be more involved in the academy. I moved here with something in mind – bringing my family to enjoy New York, which is one of the best cities in the world, and I’m committed to that. There are no limits and no deadlines. I will hopefully play for many, many, many years.”
The club’s owner, Seamus O’Brien, continues to invest heavily in the project with the target for the Cosmos to return to Major League Soccer in the near future.
Last year, the club announced plans to build a new stadium in Belmont Park costing $400 million. Raul will join-up with former Spanish team-mate Marcos Senna in the Big Apple after the veteran midfielder last season.
“We’re obviously thrilled to add a player of his quality to the team,” Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese said. “Raul’s skill and ability is world renowned. He’s a world-class player and he adds a whole new dimension to our attack.”
The Cosmos returned to action in 2013 after nearly 30 years of inactivity and have already made waves in their first two years back in business. However, the emergence of New York City – a sister club of Manchester City – has restricted their growth.
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Draft Legend New York Cosmos Raúl