Veteran Mexican Goalkeeper Ochoa Joins Cyprus’ AEL Limassol

‎Veteran Mexican goalkeeper, Guillermo Ochoa, signed with Cypriot club AEL Limassol on Thursday, aiming to prove his fitness for a sixth World Cup next year.

‎The 40-year-old most recently played for AVS in Portugal’s top flight last season, where he helped the club avoid relegation.

‎”Ochoa’s experience, personality, and leadership are expected to significantly strengthen our team’s squad,” AEL said in a statement.

‎Memo has now joined his sixth European club, and this is his first in Cyprus.

‎His European career began with Ajaccio in France, where his signing was confirmed on July 8, 2011, and he stayed for three years. During his time there, he helped the club remain in the top division for two seasons.

‎He later went to Málaga FC, where, after a strong 2014 World Cup, he joined Málaga FC with high expectations, but things didn’t go well as the coach hadn’t requested his signing and kept him as Kameni’s backup.

‎In 2016, he moved on loan to Granada FC, where he enjoyed an impressive season.

‎He became a key player and even set a saves record, though it wasn’t enough to prevent the club’s relegation.

‎In 2017, he joined Standard Liège in Belgium, where he spent three seasons, managed to lift a trophy, and finally obtained a European passport, which meant he no longer counted as a foreign player in Europe.

‎And his last club was Salernitana in Italy, where he spent a year and a half, was an undisputed starter, and delivered good performances.

‎Ochoa has made 152 appearances for Mexico since his debut in 2005 and has been the first-choice goalkeeper for the last three World Cups.

‎Mexico will co-host the 48-team global tournament next summer alongside the United States and Canada.