El Paso Locomotive FC signed Spanish defender Ander Egiluz ahead of its upcoming 2022 USL Championship season, pending league and federation approval and receipt of his ITC, the club announced today.
“Ander [Egiluz] came in on trial with us and proved himself to be a great addition to the squad,” said Locomotive Head Coach and Technical Director John Hutchinson. “He fit into the environment the players are creating and deserves his chance to be with us. He is a player that is versatile and can play either as a center back or a center-mid. He adds strength and competition to both areas.”
Egiluz, 23, began his career in soccer in 2016, joining the Athletic Bilbao Academy in Spain where he came up through their U-19 squad before signing to Spain’s Tercera Divisón club CD Basconia in 2018. While with Basconia, Egiluz went on loan to SD Leioa in Spain’s third division, Segunda División B, where he ultimately signed full time in 2019. Egiluz began seeing success in career with Leioa, making 35 appearances, marking his time with a goal and an assist behind 2,379 minutes played. During his time with Leioa, Egiluz featured in the Copa del Rey, playing in the first round against FC Cartagena in 2019 as a late game substitute. After SD Leioa, Egiluz played a short time with CP Villarrobledo where he earned eight appearances and a goal before transferring to Haro Deportivo, playing in 13 matches.
Born in the Basque Country in Northern Spain, the 23-year-old defender has a close connection the United States, particularly with the state of Idaho, where his mother was born, giving him a dual citizenship. Egiluz has featured for the Stars and Stripes, making two appearances in the 2016 Slovakia Cup where he lifted the trophy with the United States U-19 Men’s National Team.
Egiluz has been with El Paso Locomotive from the start of preseason on a trial, where he has impressed the coaching staff with not only his play on the training fields, but attitude in the locker room.
Player Information
Name: Ander Egiluz
Pronunciation: AND-er EH-gi-looz
Position: Defender
DOB: April 27, 1998
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 170 lbs.
Hometown: Gexto, Spain
Last club: Haro Deportivo
El Paso Locomotive FC’s roster as it currently stands for the 2022 USL Championship season is below, listed alphabetically by position:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Philipp Beigl, Evan Newton
DEFENDERS (7): Matt Bahner, Eder Borelli, Harry Brockbank, Ander Egiluz, Andrew Fox, Martín Payares, Yuma
MIDFIELDERS (8): Eric Calvillo, Chapa Herrera, Nick Hinds, Diego Luna, Dylan Mares, Richie Ryan, Emmanuel Sonupé, Sebástian Velásquez
FORWARDS (4): Christiano François, Aaron Gomez, Luis Solignac, Ricardo Zacarias
El Paso Locomotive FC returns to Southwest University Park for the first time since October on March 19 for its Home Opener against New Mexico United. Tickets are available for purchase now online at https://www.eplocomotivefc.com/tickets or by calling 915-235-GOAL. Los Locos will kick off its 2022 USL Championship season on the road against Sacramento Republic on March 12 with a match that will be broadcast live on ESPN+. Fans can lock in their seats for the full 2022 Locomotive season by securing their Season Ticket Memberships at https://www.eplocomotivefc.com/seasontickets.