The Newcastle Jets have signed striker Edson Montano on loan from Ecuadorian Club Barcelona SC for the 2014/15 A-League season.
The Newcastle Jets have signed striker Edson Montano on loan from Ecuadorian Club Barcelona SC for the 2014/15 Hyundai A-League season.
The 23-year-old has made four senior appearances for the Ecuadorian national team and was a member of their squad for the 2011 Copa America.
Montano has also represented his country at U-20 level, scoring five goals in 13 matches.
The athletically gifted and physically imposing striker started every match for Ecuador at the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Columbia.
During that tournament, Montano came up against current Jets players Ben Kantarovski and Mark Birighitti when Ecuador faced the Young Socceroos in the group stage.
Montano has spent the majority of his professional career in his native Ecuador with stints at the competition-s two most successful Clubs, Barcelona SC and El Nacional.
In total, Montano has made 45 appearances in the Ecuadorian Serie A, scoring nine goals.
Montano also spent a season on the books of Belgian Juliper League Club K.A.A. Gent in 2010/11, making five first team appearances.
“I am really excited to join the Newcastle Jets and experience a new journey in my football career,” Montano said.
“I-m looking forward to being part of a growing competition like the A-League and experiencing the football and culture of Australia.
“Most importantly, I hope to score goals and help bring the Newcastle Jets and its Members success on the field.”
Newcastle Jets head coach Phil Stubbins said Montano would bring a unique set of attributes to the Jets- front line.
“Edson certainly brings the physical attributes that you need and he-s a very quick and powerful athlete,” Stubbins said.
“He-s got good technique, he knows where the back of the net is and I think at his age, he could develop into a very strong player.
“We-ve got him at the right time, at a good stage in his career and we-re hoping the A-League will allow him to push on and help cement himself as a high quality senior footballer.”
