Valour FC announced another attacking addition on Thursday, confirming that it has signed Canadian attacking midfielder Keven Alemán for the 2021 season. The Winnipeg-based club simultaneously announced that Alemán has been loaned to Costa Rican top-flight side Guadalupe FC for the remainder of their season, lasting until May. "Keven has a vast amount of experience in the CONCACAF region," Valour coach Rob Gale said. "He’s an exciting and dynamic number ten. Fans can get excited about his ability to unlock defences with his creativity and goal-scoring threat." The 26-year-old Alemán has a wide array of experience across North American soccer, playing most recently for CPL side FC Edmonton at The Island Games in 2020. He started all seven games in PEI for the Eddies, scoring once against Atlético Ottawa.
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Alemán -- born in San José, but a Canadian international, having moved to Brampton, Ont. at age 10 -- has played 63 times in the Costa Rican Primera División for some major clubs, including Concacaf giants Herediano and Saprissa. "I learned from so many great players in Costa Rica. From playing in Concacaf competitions, playing in finals, and knowing what that was like, it was a great experience for me. I take a lot from time down here," Alemán told CanPL.ca last March when he signed with FC Edmonton. He also saw the pitch 41 times in 2018 and 2019 for USL Championship side Sacramento Republic, for whom he scored four goals. Alemán began his career as a youth player in the Toronto FC academy in 2010. He has represented Canada at several levels, including under-17, under-20, and under-23, and he has four caps for the senior men's national team, most recently in an international friendly against El Salvador in October, 2017. The left-footed Alemán can play either as a central attacking midfielder or on the wing, giving Valour several new options for their attack this coming season. The club now has 14 players signed for 2021, with Alemán the fourth newcomer to be announced so far. Valour also added a pair of new faces to its training camp list at the CPL-U SPORTS Draft last week, with goalkeeper Yuba-Rayane Yesli and defender Tony Mikhael.
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