EL PASO, Texas – El Paso Locomotive FC announced on Thursday it had re-signed veteran defender Eder Borelli ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Borelli made 20 appearances during the past campaign, recording 31 tackles at a 68.9 percent success rate while also contributing two assists and 15 chances created in the attacking half. The 33-year-old is set for his fifth campaign with the club overall, where he has made 91 appearances and recorded two goals and 12 assists in the club’s colors.

“We are pleased to be able to extend Eder’s stay in El Paso,” Head Coach and Technical Director Brian Clarhaut said. “Eder is Locomotive through and through, and it was important to get his signature as he will be an extremely important piece to our culture and attitude on the field. 

“He is one of the most professional players I have coached, and it is a pleasure to work with him daily.  He sets great examples for our young players and his daily habits are standards for the rest of our team. He has worked extremely hard to get back to full fitness and I’m happy to have Eder with us for 2024.”

A native of Monterrey, Mexico, Borelli made more than 200 appearances in the top two division of Mexican soccer prior to arriving in El Paso, and competed for Tigres UANL in the Concacaf Champions Cup while also spending time with FC Juarez and Queretaro.

“I’m very happy and excited to be able to continue representing this beautiful city and region,” Borelli said. “We will work very hard to make the city of El Paso proud of this team. We will be warriors inside the pitch to defend the Locomotive jersey.”

Analysis

Eder Borelli has been a consistent figure on the left side of El Paso’s defense over the past four seasons, producing solid two-way performances while also taking the captain’s armband for much of the past season before his campaign came to a premature end due to injury.

Borelli’s is a solid defender, but his ability to shift forward and join the attack has made him a  valuable part of El Paso’s lineup, recording 11 assists in the regular season and playoffs in the Championship on 76 chances created and 16 big chances created. Add in his combativeness when squaring off with opponents, and you have a player that is well appreciated by El Paso’s fanbase.