York United attacking midfielder Mateo Hernández is joining teammate Lisandro Cabrera on loan with Dominican Republic side Atlético Pantoja, the club announced Wednesday, Hernández, 22, first joined York last October from his native Argentina and Primera División side Club Atlético Colón and joins Cabrera on a deal until the end of the year, with York retaining the right to recall the player with notice. Hernández has spent his entire career thus far with Colón, starting in the youth ranks to make a handful of appearances with the first team last season – including against some of Argentina’s biggest outfits, such as Banfield and Argentinos Juniors. "The pandemic has made things very challenging for our entire playing group and coaching staff," says Angus McNab, CEO/President & GM. "We are a club centred entirely around our players and when making loan decisions we focus only on the best situation for their individual development. The long-term benefits to us are too important. This loan gives Mateo the opportunity to play football at a time when we face uncertainty regarding a return to training, as well as with his own visa process. He has a chance to test himself again ahead of joining up with us."
RELATED READING: CPL off-season roster tracker: Who’s in and who’s out for 2021? || York United’s Lisandro Cabrera scores in Concacaf Champions League for Dominican side
Cabrera joined Atlético Pantoja on loan earlier this year – ahead of a massive Concacaf Champions League tie with Liga MX giants Monterrey. The 23-year-old Argentinian centre-forward went on to score in the second leg at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Mexico and was the lone Pantoja player to find the back of the net following a 6-1 aggregate defeat. "Pantoja has taken excellent care of Lisandro and when they came to speak to us about Mateo it was an easy decision given our experience working with them," McNab continued. “Having Lisandro and Mateo play together was hugely attractive for me. They actually know each other from back home in Argentina and are excited to be reunited ahead of coming to Canada." York has three other players on loan: Michael Petrasso (Barnet, English fifth tier), Dominick Zator (Vasalunds IF, Swedish second tier), and Nicholas Hamilton (Dundee, Scottish second tier). The club has 23 players under contract for the 2021 season. To view the full list, click here.

Continue reading...