Another Ex-QPR Coming to Play in USA: Gino Padula

[QPR Report]

To Columbus Crewe :)

[Atouk]

Seriously? Gino for the Crew? Crap. I don't think I can root against Gino.

[Atouk]

It's not official yet, but it looks like it's going to happen:

Ives reports that his agent said "Talks are ongoing and we hope to have a resolution this week." (http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2008/03/crew-deal-for-a.html)

[QPR Kevin H]

Gino! Gino! Gino!

:D

[QPR Report]

Columbus Crew/Signed! First game plays (if he plays) against....Danny Dichio's Toronto...

[Atouk]

Crew sign Argentine defender Padula (http://columbus.crew.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20080324&content_id=145109&vkey=pr_coc&fext=.jsp&team=t102)

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Crew announced today that it has signed Argentine left back Gino Padula. Per club and league policy, no further terms of the deal were disclosed. Padula will join the Crew upon approval of his P-1 visa work permit.

The 31-year-old Padula trained with the Crew during its recent preseason trip to England and appeared in the club's exhibition match vs. Everton FC on March 7.

"We have been looking for an experienced left back are were able to find one in Gino Padula," said Crew head coach Sigi Schmid. "He is a good technical player with a great deal of experience in the English and French leagues and he adds another veteran presence to our back line."

Padula began his career with Argentine club Atlético River Plate in 1996, before moving to Club Atlético Huracán in 1997. In 1998, he moved to Europe to play for Xerez CD in Spain. Following his time with Xerez, Padula played in English football between 1999 and 2006.

His first club in England was Bristol Rovers, and after a short spell there, he went on to Walsall FC where he appeared in 25 games before joining Wigan Athletic in 2000. Padula saw action in six games, scoring one goal for the Latics, before heading to Queen's Park Rangers in 2002. Padula became a cult figure during his time at Loftus Road, where he scored five goals in 90 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops. After his time with QPR, Padula joined Nottingham Forest in 2005, where he made five appearances with the Reds. He most recently played with Montpellier HSC of the French Ligue 2, where he made seven appearances.


Gino Padula
(Pronounced: puh-DOOL-uh)
Position: Defender
Height: 5-9
Weight: 167
Born: July 11, 1976 (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Hometown: Lanús, Argentina
Citizenship: Argentina
Roster Designation: International
Last Team: Montpellier HSC (France)
How Acquired: Signed on March 24, 2008
Professional Experience: CA River Plate, Argentine Primera Division (1996-97); CA Huracán, Primera B Nacional Argentina (1997-98); Xerez CD, Spanish Segunda Division (1998-99); Bristol Rovers FC, English Coca-Cola League One (1999); Walsall FC, English Coca-Cola League One (1999-2000); Wigan Athletic FC, English Coca-Cola League One (2000-01); Queens Park Rangers FC, English Coca-Cola Championship (2002-05); Nottingham Forest FC, English Coca-Cola League One (2005-06); Montpellier HSC, French Ligue 2 (2006-08)

[QPR Kevin H]

I hate to say it, but I might have to wear my Rs shirt to the Crew match at RFK this season - just to show some support for Gino. One of the most loveable figures in club history.

[Atouk]

Gino started and went 90 in Columbus' 4-3 defeat of Chivas USA last weekend. He received a yellow card in the 75th minute for delaying a restart after Chivas had just cut the Columbus lead to 3-2 in the 72nd minute.

From the Crew website (http://columbus.crew.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20080416&content_id=150928&vkey=news_coc&fext=.jsp&team=t102):

PADULA MAKES BLACK & GOLD DEBUT IN 4-3 VICTORY OVER CHIVAS USA SATURDAY

Newly-acquired Argentine defender Gino Padula made his Crew debut Saturday, April 12, in the club's 4-3 victory over Chivas USA at Crew Stadium. Padula, who got the nod in the starting 11 for Head Coach Sigi Schmid, played the full 90 minutes in the Crew victory. The 31-year-old Padula trained with the Crew during its recent preseason trip to England and appeared in the club's exhibition match vs. Everton FC on March 7. He signed with the Crew on March 24 and joined the club on April 3, as soon as his P-1 visa was approved. Padula began his career with Argentine club Atlético River Plate in 1996, before moving to Club Atlético Huracán in 1997. In 1998, he moved to Europe to play for Xerez CD in Spain. Following his time with Xerez, Padula played in English football between 1999 and 2006.

Gino should see his first action at RFK stadium tonight. I'll be wearing my current Dennis the Menace shirt to honor his QPR past, with a DC/Screaming Eagles scarf to make clear why my loyalty is in the game tonight!

[ross from st paul]

Europe to play for Xerez CD in Spain. Following his time with Xerez, Padula played in English football between 1999 and 2006.

I recognize it's because he played for several clubs in England, and that explains it.
But it's still irksome that they spell out a nothing club in Spain, but don't mention any English clubs by name.
I am aggrieved! ;)


Oh, and GO CREW tonight!

(I keed Atouk. I keed because I love.
Is Oliver coming along?)

[QPR Kevin H]

I recognize it's because he played for several clubs in England, and that explains it.
But it's still irksome that they spell out a nothing club in Spain, but don't mention any English clubs by name.
I am aggrieved! ;)
It always makes me chuckle when we spell out the entire title of a club in this country - as if anyone actually says Club Atlético River Plate. Or Celtic FC.

[Atouk]

Kev, are you going to see Gino fail to stop United from scoring a few goals tonight? :D

[QPR Kevin H]

Kev, are you going to see Gino fail to stop United from scoring a few goals tonight? :D
Unfortunately not - I'm needed on the home front tonight. So it's ESPN2 HD for me :(

[ross from st paul]

Kev, are you going to see Gino fail to stop United from scoring a few goals tonight? :D

I'm either going to gloat like an obnoxious ManUre fan tomorrow...or not show up at all. :p


And yes, I recognize the redundancy in "obnoxious ManUre fan."

[Atouk]

(I keed Atouk. I keed because I love.
Is Oliver coming along?)He attended the DCU/Pachuca game, but I think he and his mom are taking the night off tonight. I think we'll be bringing him to the DCU/RSL game on the 26th.

[MetroAnt]

I'm either going to gloat like an obnoxious ManUre fan tomorrow...or not show up at all. :p

Looks like we'll be seeing you tomorrow!

[Atouk]

Looks like we'll be seeing you tomorrow!:mad:

;)

It was good to see Gino play last night.

[QPR Kevin H]

:mad:

;)

It was good to see Gino play last night.
I thought he had a fairly good match. Harkesy and JP agreed on ESPN. Got skinned a couple times by Fred (who unfortunately f-d up the chances after that). Some decent balls out of the back, linked pretty well with his buddy Schelotto.

It is a little bit sad that he was playing in (England's) League One recently, but steps right in to the back four of an MLS side. Says a bit about the quality of defending in our top league. But I'm happy to see him playing well.