SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that the club has signed Canadian national team defender Nana Attakora pending receipt of his P-1 visa. Per league and team policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.
Attakora, 23, played six games for the Earthquakes in 2011 after joining the team as part of a four-player trade with Toronto FC, the same move that brought Alan Gordon to San Jose along with Jacob Peterson in exchange for Ryan Johnson, allocation money and an international player slot. The athletic center back left MLS in 2012 to suit up for Finland’s FC Haka, but has returned to San Jose for 2013.
“We’re happy to have Nana back to add some depth to our center backs. We never wanted to see him go, but he looked sharp during his stint in Europe and we look forward to having him in an Earthquakes jersey once again,” said Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop.
Attakora joined Toronto FC in 2007 and made 56 career appearances before departing for San Jose. Attakora has five career caps with the Canadian national team, his last coming in a 0-0 draw against the United States at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston on Jan. 29. He has been a mainstay for Canada since his youth days with the U-17s.
“The club is excited to see Nana return to San Jose. We’re looking forward to a great season on the field for him,” said Earthquakes general manager John Doyle.
The Earthquakes have nine defender under contract with the signing. That list includes right backs Steven Beitashour, Dan Gargan and Peter McGlynn, center backs Victor Bernardez, Ty Harden, Jason Hernandez and Attakora, and left backs Justin Morrow and Ramiro Corrales. The club also still has 2013 first-round SuperDraft pick Tommy Muller in camp as well as trialists Josh Suggs, Hunter Gorskie and Colin Mitchell.
Transaction: San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) – San Jose Earthquakes sign D Nana Attakota.
Nana Attakora
Jersey Number: 23
Position: Defender
Height: 6-1
Weight: 185
Born: March 27, 1989 in North York, Ontario, Canada
Hometown: North York, Ontario, Canada
College: None
Citizenship: Canadian
EARTHQUAKES PRESEASON ROSTER
GOALKEEPERS (3): Jon Busch, David Bingham, Evan Newton
DEFENDERS (13): Ty Harden, Dan Gargan, Victor Bernardez, Ramiro Corrales, Justin Morrow, Peter McGlynn, Jason Hernandez, Steven Beitashour, Nana Attakora, ^Tommy Muller, ^Josh Suggs, ^Hunter Gorskie, ^Colin Mitchell
MIDFIELDERS (12): Sam Cronin, Brad Ring, Shea Salinas, Sam Garza, Rafael Baca, Mehdi Ballouchy, Marvin Chavez, ^Abu Tommy, ^Cordell Cato, ^John Bostock, ^Danchrisandre Delgado,, ^Sean de Silva
FORWARDS (8): ^Alexandre Gonzalez Emerson, Chris Wondolowski, Mike Fucito, Steven Lenhart, Marcus Tracy, Alan Gordon, Cesar Diaz Pizarro, ^Adam Jahn
^ Indicates non-roster invitee
