Pumas signs Universidad de Chile and Panama forward Gabriel Torres on loan

Pumas announced that they acquired Panamanian forward Gabriel Torres on loan from Universidad de Chile. Torres arrives in Mexico after a very successful spell with Independiente del Valle in Ecuador, where he was a key part in the team that won the Copa Sudamericana in 2019. With the injury of Juan Ignacio Dinenno, Pumas was left with a single striker in Emanuel Montejano, who is a top prospect but is also just 19 years old and more importantly only made his Liga MX debut in the game where Dinenno got injured. Torres, who has had a long career, will need to hit the ground running, as Pumas will be using him against Monterrey on Saturday according to coach Lillini.

Gabriel Torres was born in Panama City in 1988 and came up through the ranks of Panamanian team Chepo FC. During his time in the club he was loaned out to teams like San Francisco FC of Panama and La Equidad and America de Cali in Colombia. He then moved to Atletico Huila in Colombia and then to Venezuelan side Zamora FC, where he shined. His time was good enough to make it to MLS as be a Designated Player with the Colorado Rapids. After that, he returned to Zamora where after another good spell, he made his only move to Europe with Swiss club Lausanne. After his time in Switzerland, he then went to Chile with Huachipato. A good spell in the club lead to a move to Universidad de Chile, where he was then be loaned to Independiente del Valle and now to Pumas. Throughout his career he has also gotten constant play with the Panama National Team. Among his highlights was being the leading goal scorer in the 2013 Gold Cup along with Landon Donovan and Chris Wondolowski. In that tournament, Panama went all the way to the final including getting two wins against Mexico. Torres scored twice in their opening game against Mexico, giving Panama a 2-1 win, their first ever over the Mexican National Team. Torres would be a very important part of the Panamanian team that qualified to their first ever World Cup in 2018. In the World Cup, Torres would play in two of their three games, coming in as a sub against Belgium and starting against Tunisia.

Gabriel Torres is a solid striker with a very solid career. Although he is up in age at 32, it might be the veteran experience needed to help the lack of Dinenno. If he can click with Montejano, Pumas can come in with two forwards like they did this past season with Dinenno and Carlos Gonzalez. Although not as talented, it would be a help over having a single forward, a system that has produced almost nothing in the attack in their games against Queretaro and Atlas. Yet with the season already going into their second month, Torres will have to make an impact fast or the season might get away from Pumas.