Marcelo Herrera, a 12-year veteran of the Argentine First Division, has signed a multiyear contract with MLS and will play for the Miami Fusion, league deputy commissioner Sunil Gulati announced Jan. 8. Herrera, 31, is a native of San Salvador de Jujuy who began his playing career with Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy in 1987. He moved to Gimnasia y Tiro in 1990 and to Velez Sarsfield in 1994. While at Velez, he helped the club to the 1994 Intercontinental Cup and the 1996 Interamericana Cup titles. He returned to his hometown club of Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy in 1997 and scored four goals in the teams final six games. Fusion coach Carlos “Cacho” Cordoba, himself a former Argentine First Division player, has long-time connections in South America which helped to acquire the midfielder. “Herrera will play a big role with our team,” Cordoba said. “He has national team experience and has been a winner at all levels. He’s the type of player who will control the right side of the field. He is very good at going back defensively, but he also has the ability to score eight to ten goals this season. I expect a lot out of him.” Known throughout Argentina by his nickname “Popeye,” the right-sided midfielder is a member of Argentina’s national team player pool. He will team with Colombian star Carlos Valderrama to give the Fusion a potent midfield. “Herrera will be an excellent complement to Carlos,” said Gulati. “We are fortunate to have him playing in the league.” “I decided to come to the United States because I believe Major League Soccer is an emerging league,” Herrera said. “With the Fusion, I will have the opportunity to play for ‘Cacho’ Cordoba and his coaching staff. South Florida is an exciting, beautiful place to raise a family, and though I’ll miss Argentina, I believe this new challenge will benefit my entire family.” The 5-10, 167 pound Herrera is expected to join the Fusion for preseason training later this month.