Tijuana Xolos: Erick Castillo Officially Presented As Latest Signing
Credit: Xolos
Tijuana, Mexico
This Tuesday, July 10, Club Tijuana officially presented 23-year-old Ecuadorian winger Erick Castillo as the team’s latest signing.
Castillo is coming from Ecuador, where he had spent his entire professional career dating back to 2013. “La Culebra” played with Norte America, L.D.U. Loja, Olmedo and Barcelona de Guayaquil in his native country.
He is coming over from Barcelona, one of Ecuador’s most successful clubs, where he had played since 2014. Castillo enjoyed success with Los Toreros as he won a league title in 2016 and participated in high-caliber tournaments such as the Copa Sudamericana and the Copa Libertadores.
The 23-year-old managed to score just eight goals in the Ecuadorian first division and is more of a creator and generator of play. Castillo has the pace to burn down the wings and can be very skillful, making him an exciting player with plenty of potential at his young age.
The Xolos have been trying to find a player with similar characteristics since Aviles Hurtado left the border city side to join Monterrey. Every option that has come in has been a failure so far as they have received very limited playing time and have failed to make an impact.
Some of these players include Mauricio Cuero, Mateus Goncalves and Julio Angulo, who are all not with the Xoloitzcuintles anymore. Cuero left before the start of last season, Goncalves is currently a free agent and Angulo went back to Argentine club Huracan after his loan ended.
Quick Xolos’ update. Erick Castillo now with Club Tijuana. Can he fill that winger spot that has been tough to fill for the Aztec Canines? #Xolos #LigaMXeng pic.twitter.com/pjL1OyAQVG
— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) July 11, 2018
There is no doubt that Castillo has the talent to be an impactful player in the Liga MX, but it is unclear if he will be able to adapt to the style of play. It could help that his fellow countryman Miller Bolanos will feature in the attack and perhaps the pair can create some magic going forward.
“Culebra” is also a nickname that Xolos’ fans are fond of as it is the same as Colombian striker Duvier Riascos, who helped the team get its only league title back in the Apertura 2012 competition.
Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.