Mexican voted the best player in MLS
F
or years Carlos Vela’s
career threatened to
be little more than
a footnote in any
story regarding
European clubs and
their treatment of
underage players as it was his signing
as a 16-year-old by Arsenal in 2005Carlos Vela
that initially prompted FIFA to act against
the international “trafficking” of players
aged under 18.
Arsenal signed the youngster from
Mexican side Guadalajara after he had
finished top scorer at the 2005 Under-17
World Championship. But permit issues
undermined his start in north London
and he was loaned out to a successionof Spanish clubs, starting with Celta
Vigo and followed by second-tier
outfits Osasuna and Salamanca.
The granting of a UK work permit in
2008 offered hope that he could make
the breakthrough in English football, but
even after a hat-trick on his full debut,
against Sheffield United in the League
Cup, Arsenal manager Arsene WengerHeadliners
Content...the Mexican
is happy in MLS