This Thursday, December 19, San Diego FC officially announced the signing of 34-year-old midfielder Anibal Godoy.

San Diego signed the veteran player off free agency to a one-year contract with club options for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

Godoy is a seasoned MLS veteran that first joined the league back in 2015 with the San Jose Earthquakes. The Panamanian international played over 100 games with San Jose from 2015 to 2019, then joined Nashville leading up to the 202o MLS season.

Godoy also made over 100 appearances for Nashville across five seasons, becoming a key player for this club. Last season, Godoy started 17 games and provided a goal and three assists.

Godoy’s contribution on the pitch is not on the offensive side of the ball, as he is a defensive midfielder who is strong on the ball. The veteran stands 6-foot and commands an imposing physical presence against any team or player in the league.

Godoy is also a staple on the Panama national team as he is currently the team captain and a vital presence in the squad. CONCACAF’s hard-fought style of play makes him a very valuable player for his national team despite his age.

The longtime MLS player now has 143 caps for Panama and was part of the historic 2018 squad that reached the nation’s first-ever World Cup qualification. Godoy played all three group-stage games for Panama in the World Cup and has been a part of most of the Central American team’s most significant achievements.

San Diego FC already had a very strong defensive midfielder in Jeppe Tverskov, but the leader will undoubtedly be Godoy with his experience. SDFC Sporting Director Tyler Heaps talked about what the veteran can bring to this team. “Anibal is a proven midfielder with experience at the highest level who brings valuable depth to our midfield,” said Heaps.

Godoy is a perfect signing for a young team trying to find stability and leadership, as is the case with this San Diego FC side. The Panamanian international even has the potential to be a prime candidate to be the first-ever captain in franchise history.

Francisco Velasco

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.