Francisco Calvo set for new adventure in Mexico with Juárez

Francisco Calvo’s career took him to the top tier of Turkish football in mid-2022 when he signed a two-year deal with Konyaspor. Now, the Costa Rica international is about to undertake a new adventure in Mexico’s Liga MX. The 31-year-old joins Juárez as a reinforcement for the Clausura 2024 and with it returns to North America.

Calvo spent time in North America in the past with stints at MLS clubs such as Minnesota United, Chicago Fire and San José Earthquakes. Now he has to assume greater relevance in Juárez’s project to earn a place in the starting eleven - the aim is to be be in the best possible shape for the Copa América 2024 playoffs in March.

Calvo dedicated a few words to what will be his new home via the club’s official social media channels: “I’m very happy to have come here to Juárez. I never doubted it for a moment and I have come here with my entire family. I’m excited by the idea of representing such a young team with so much future. Here, I see a new home for me and my family. I’m ready to represent these colors with great pride and bring joy to our fans,” he explained.

The central defender can bring experience and quality to Diego Mejía’s team. It will be interesting to see if he is handed his debut on Friday, when the Bravos will measure themselves against Cruz Azul on matchday 2. Juárez go into the game after losing 1-0 to Pumas UNAM in CDMX.

Objective: Copa América 2024

Costa Rica lost to Panama in the quarter finals of the 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League which means Gustavo Alfaro’s side now face a playoff tie against Honduras in March. Calvo hopes to help La Sele qualify for the historic Conmebol competition. Together with team mates such as Keylor Navas and Joel Campbell, he will be doing what he can to get the team to this year’s Copa América via the play-in round.

Costa Rica face Honduras at Toyota Stadium in Frisco on 23 March with Canada and Trinidad and Tobago vying for a place in the other playoff game.