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New York Cosmos have announced the signature of Real Madrid legend Raul on a multi-year contract, marking a return to professional football for the former striker after previously announcing his retirement in March 2014. Cosmos rose to fame as a club courtesy of Brazilian legend Pele’s time there in the mid 1970s.
He is also poised to take over as the technical adviser to the club’s imminent youth academy, which he will devote his full time to after retirement.
“Everyone throughout the soccer world knows the Cosmos name and the legacy of the players that played for this team previously,” Raul said in a statement.
“They helped establish soccer in America and I’m honoured to follow in their footsteps. I believe in this club’s vision and I’m excited to be a part of that.”
Raul had retired from professional football after playing for Al Saad in Qatar for two years before which he had spent another two years with Schalke in the Bundesliga. He made his name, however, with none other than Real Madrid, where he spent the majority of his career to finish up as the club’s record goalscorer with 323 goals, 228 of which came in the La Liga.
Will play alongside compatriot Marcos Senna
The 37-year-old joins a Cosmos side that won the NASL title in 2013 and qualified for the NSL playoffs this year. While joining a new environment is always difficult, things should be made easier for Raul by Cosmos’ Marcos Senna, who was a part of the Spain squad alongside Raul during the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Cosmos returned to action in 2013 after being dormant as a club for close to 30 years, but they are already taking steps to gain prominence once again, the most notable being Senna’s signature a couple of years ago, and the signing of Raul should only quicken that process.
Cosmos head coach thrilled at Raul’s signature
“We’re obviously thrilled to add a player of his quality to the team,” head coach Giovanni Savarese said.
“Raul’s skill and ability is world renowned. He’s a world-class player and he adds a whole new dimension to our attack.
“He also brings immense passion and knowledge that he can share with our team and with the next generation of Cosmos players in our youth academy.
"He’ll help set the academy training curriculum, structure and establish our player development pyramid,” he concluded.
