ALBACETE, Spain, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Former Argentine
international goalkeeper Carlos Roa signed a one-year contract
with Spanish second division club Albacete on Tuesday.
The 33-year-old, who had been linked recently with a move to
English champions Arsenal, joined the club on a free transfer
after finishing his contract with Real Mallorca in June.
Roa, who was Argentina's first choice keeper in the 1998
World Cup finals, played for Racing Avellaneda and Lanus before
signing for Mallorca on the recommendation of then coach Hector
Cuper in 1997.
He excelled in his first spell at the club, playing a key
role in helping them to a third place finish in the first
division and the final of the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1999.
A devout member of the Church of the Seventh Day Adventists
who does not play or train on Saturdays, Roa then quit football
to dedicate his life to religious work.
A year later he returned to Mallorca to resume his career
after deciding he could reconcile his religious beliefs with his
life as a professional footballer.
Fortunately for Roa and Albacete most league matches in
Spain take place on Sundays.
- NEWS
