Former QPR Favourite Gino Padula Joins Columbus Crew

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Gino Padula signs with Columbus Crew. If he plays, Columbus Crew's first game of the season on Saturday is against Danny Dichio's Toronto FC!

UPDATED March 25: COLUMBUS CREW

Crew sign Argentine defender PadulaLeft-sided veteran, who was with Montpellier in France following seven years in England, brings skill and experience to Crew backline Columbus Crew Media Relations

Padula Photo

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Crew announced today that it has signed Argentine left back Gino Padula. Per club and league policy, no further terms of the deal were disclosed. Padula will join the Crew upon approval of his P-1 visa work permit.

The 31-year-old Padula trained with the Crew during its recent preseason trip to England and appeared in the club's exhibition match vs. Everton FC on March 7.

"We have been looking for an experienced left back are were able to find one in Gino Padula," said Crew head coach Sigi Schmid. "He is a good technical player with a great deal of experience in the English and French leagues and he adds another veteran presence to our back line."

Padula began his career with Argentine club Atlético River Plate in 1996, before moving to Club Atlético Huracán in 1997. In 1998, he moved to Europe to play for Xerez CD in Spain. Following his time with Xerez, Padula played in English football between 1999 and 2006.

His first club in England was Bristol Rovers, and after a short spell there, he went on to Walsall FC where he appeared in 25 games before joining Wigan Athletic in 2000. Padula saw action in six games, scoring one goal for the Latics, before heading to Queen's Park Rangers in 2002. Padula became a cult figure during his time at Loftus Road, where he scored five goals in 90 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops. After his time with QPR, Padula joined Nottingham Forest in 2005, where he made five appearances with the Reds. He most recently played with Montpellier HSC of the French Ligue 2, where he made seven appearances.

Gino Padula (Pronounced: puh-DOOL-uh)
Position: Defender
Height: 5-9
Weight: 167
Born: July 11, 1976 (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Hometown: Lanús, Argentina
Citizenship: Argentina
Roster Designation: International
Last Team: Montpellier HSC (France)
How Acquired: Signed on March 24, 2008
Professional Experience: CA River Plate, Argentine Primera Division (1996-97); CA Huracán, Primera B Nacional Argentina (1997-98); Xerez CD, Spanish Segunda Division (1998-99); Bristol Rovers FC, English Coca-Cola League One (1999); Walsall FC, English Coca-Cola League One (1999-2000); Wigan Athletic FC, English Coca-Cola League One (2000-01); Queens Park Rangers FC, English Coca-Cola Championship (2002-05); Nottingham Forest FC, English - Columbus Crew


Press Release - Crew Signs Argentine Defender Gino Padula
03/24/08 - Major League Soccer (MLS) Columbus Crew

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Crew announced today that it has signed Argentine left back Gino Padula. Per club and league policy, no further terms of the deal were disclosed. Padula will join the Crew upon approval of his P-1 visa work permit.

The 31-year-old Padula trained with the Crew during its recent preseason trip to England and appeared in the club's exhibition match vs. Everton FC on March 7.

"We have been looking for an experienced left back are were able to find one in Gino Padula," said Crew head coach Sigi Schmid. "He is a good technical player with a great deal of experience in the English and French leagues and he adds another veteran presence to our back line."

Padula began his career with Argentine club Atl鴩co River Plate in 1996, before moving to Club Atl鴩co Huracᮠin 1997. In 1998, he moved to Europe to play for Xerez CD in Spain. Following his time with Xerez, Padula played in English football between 1999 and 2006.

His first club in England was Bristol Rovers, and after a short spell there, he went on to Walsall FC where he appeared in 25 games before joining Wigan Athletic in 2000. Padula saw action in six games, scoring one goal for the Latics, before heading to Queen's Park Rangers in 2002. Padula became a cult figure during his time at Loftus Road, where he scored five goals in 90 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops. After his time with QPR, Padula joined Nottingham Forest in 2005, where he made five appearances with the Reds. He most recently played with Montpellier HSC of the French Ligue 2, where he made seven appearances.
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