[bana2166]

Quakes add a goal scorer in Haiti's Peguero

04/16/2008 01:59:27 PM PDT

The San Jose Earthquakes have landed a proven goal scorer with the signing of forward Jean-Philippe Peguero of Haiti.

Peguero, 26, arrives on loan from the Danish team Brondy where he played well in 2006 before tearing anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his right knee.

"Hopefully he can regain his form," Quakes Coach Frank Yallop said Wednesday.

The team made the deal with Brondy just before the transfer deadline Tuesday night. It won't be official until the transfer is cleared by FIFA, soccer's worldwide governing body. Peguero also must pass a physical next week.

The deal gives Peguero a chance to show Brondy officials he has recovered from his injury.

"We'll see how he does," Yallop said. "It's a good deal for both teams. There's no risk."

Because it is a loan, the Quakes didn't spend allocation money or give up draft picks to secure Peguero, who has been one of Haiti's top forwards on the national team.

The 6-foot-1 striker also scored 21 goals while playing for the Colorado Rapids and New York Red Bulls from 2004-'06.

Peguero won't be available for San Jose's game at Colorado on Saturday night. If he clears transfers, Peguero will join the team for training next week.

The Quakes (0-2) could use help after failing to score this season. Team officials have promised to bolster the front line that features Kei Kamara and Gavin Glinton, unproven strikers with potential.

Peguero, though, won't automatically replace the current starters.

After Tuesday's practice, Yallop had said of his starters: "There's no immediate panic from us."

• San Jose also is interested in Mexican midfielder Zinha, who plays for Club Toluca. But Yallop downplayed the situation because the team is in preliminary stages of meeting with the Mexican star.