SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that the club has signed Argentine right back Luciano Abecasis to a one-year contract with option to extend, pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and ITC.
“By signing Luciano, our goal was to strengthen our defense with an established fullback,” said Earthquakes general manager Jesse Fioranelli. “We feel fortunate to have him join on a free transfer as he had a number of competing offers in Argentina. Luciano has accumulated valuable experience in numerous competitive settings, including Copa Libertadores, and with his knowledge of the position and impressive work rate, we believe he will provide strong cover in defensive duels and positional options in attack.”
Abecasis, 30, has competed in Argentina, Italy and Paraguay during his extensive playing career. He most recently played for Paraguay’s Club Libertad Asuncion in 2020, tallying one assist in 13 appearances.
Abecasis began his career at the youth ranks of his hometown club Rosario Central in Argentina. In July 2010, he joined River Plate II before being elevated to the First Team a year later under then head coach Matias Almeyda. Abecasis helped River Plate win the 2011-12 Primera Nacional title with a 20-5-13 record and earn promotion to the nation’s top league. He would ultimately make 17 total appearances for River Plate.
In July of 2013, Abecasis was loaned to Quilmes, also of Argentina’s Primera Division, where he recorded one goal and one assist in 20 appearances before returning to River Plate. In February 2015, Abecasis was sent on loan to Italy’s Pescara and made three appearances for the Serie B side.
After returning to Argentina in the summer of 2015, Abecasis signed with Godoy Cruz and remained at the club for three and a half years. During that time, he tallied two goals and 14 assists in 89 appearances, including two goals and six assists in 22 appearances as part of Godoy Cruz’s second-place finish in 2017-18.
Abecasis then joined Argentina’s Lanus in July 2019, scoring one goal in two appearances, before signing with Paraguay’s Club Libertad in January 2020. He made 10 league appearances, helping Club Libertad to a third-place aggregate finish, as well as another three appearances as part of Copa Libertadores.
Luciano Abecasis
Pronunciation: AH-bay-KAH-seece
Position: Defender
Height: 5-7
Weight: 163 lbs.
Born: June 4, 1990 in Rosario, Argentina
Preferred Foot: Right
Hometown: Rosario, Argentina
Previous Club: Club Libertad (Paraguay)
College: N/A
Roster Designation: International
Transaction: San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) – Earthquakes sign Argentine D Luciano Abecasis to a one-year contract with option to extend.
