The transfer of Chile International Eduardo Vargas (red jersey) from Hoffenheim to Tigres was confirmed on January 30, 2017. (Photo: Lucas Da Silva/Straffon Images)
SAN NICOLAS DE LOS GARZA, Mexico – Three days after Tigres announced that Eduardo Vargas would be joining the side, his former club -- Germany’s Hoffenheim – confirmed the transaction on Monday, the same day the Chile international trained for the first time with his new teammates.
The 27-year-old forward, who was the top scorer in the 2015 and 2016 editions of the Copa America, is expected to strengthen the attack of a team that has scored four goals in as many games to open the 2017 Liga MX Clausura campaign.
Tigres is also on course for a second straight appearance in the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League final and is slated to host Pumas in the first leg of the 2016/17 edition on February 22.
Head coach Ricardo Ferretti is happy to have Vargas on board, seeing the acquisition as being consistent with the club’s philosophy of continuously identifying players who can upgrade the talent level.
"Since we arrived a little more than six years ago, the idea was to do things very well,” the 62-year-old said. “The board always supports to the maximum with good players in order to obtain results. Since we’ve been here, the results have been acceptable.”
Vargas has played for numerous clubs in South America and Europe, having his best success with Universidad de Chile from 2010-11. Over that stretch, he earned Best Player honors in the 2011 Copa Sudamericana after scoring a tournament-best 11 goals in helping Universidad to the title. That same year, he was also named the Chilean Primera División’s Best Player.
As a result of his success, Vargas was transferred to Italy’s Napoli in December 2011. He then went on loan to Gremio (Brazil; 2013), Valencia (Spain; 2014), Queens Park Rangers (England; 2014-15), before being sold Hoffenheim in August 2015.
Overall, Ferretti believes that Vargas can take Tigres to the next level.
“What Eduardo can give is his football, his talent, his dedication, his determination to the benefit of the team,” he finished. “That's why he was brought in.”
