BAYAMON, PR -- The management team of the Puerto Rico Islanders announced today significant changes to the composition of their squad, including the appointment of Hugo Maradona as head coach. 

The current coach, Brazilian Vítor Hugo Barros, will now become a special advisor to the team, while Hugo Maradona, younger brother of the famed Argentine soccer star, will be the team’s new head coach.  Maradona will arrive in Puerto Rico tomorrow to begin working immediately in his new job at the Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium.

“Maradona brings to the Islanders his vast experience in world soccer.  He has been coaching for the past three years in American leagues, and knows that particular style of play really well,” said Gustavo Schodlbauer, the Islanders’ Sports Manager.  “At the same time, Vítor Hugo is an exceptional asset, who is fully committed to the sport and to our team, and he will continue providing us with his support and knowledge,” he added.

The Islanders’ General Manager, Eric Labrador, explained that management is making a heavy investment in the team to give the Islanders all possible advantages starting from its very first season.  “We are making this investment because, even though we are an expansion team, we certainly have a winning team with excellent players.  We want to show our fans and the people supporting us that we want to take the Islanders, as well as soccer in Puerto Rico, to new levels,” emphasized Labrador.

Aside from the arrival of Maradona, the Islanders also confirmed today that Haitian player Clide Geffard is already training in Puerto Rico, waiting for his final A-League certification to begin playing this coming Friday in Bayamón against the 2003 A-League Champs, the Charleston Battery.  Additionally, midfielders Ricardo Alcerro, from Honduras and “Chavito” Quiles, from Puerto Rico will also debut with the Islanders this Friday.

The team however will not be able to count on forward Diego Pierri because of a serious knee injury he suffered.  Pierri had surgery this past Tuesday and will continue receiving follow up treatment to fully recover before returning to the field.