BREAKING: Dynamo Sign Chilean Defender Jose Bizama

The MLS transfer opens today and expect the rumors to start flying. For Dynamo fans, the rumors of signings started early with news that Chilean Jose Bizama was on his way to Houston. Now with the signing official, who is this new player and what will he bring to the team? Let’s take a look at what we know.

Jose Bizama is a 25-year-old Chilean who can play multiple positions. He has played right back, center back, and defensive midfield for his club team Huachipato in the Chilean Primera Division. I would expect him to play mostly right back for the Dynamo, as AJ DeLaGarza is currently the only natural right back on the squad, and with AJ’s age and injury history, Bizama is a nice piece to have for Wilmer Cabrera.

Bizama joined the Steelers, Huachipato’s nickname, in 2014 at the age of 20 and has made over 100 appearances for the club becoming a full-time starter over the last two seasons. His play in the Chilean Primera Division led to a call up to the Chilean national team last summer where he earned 3 caps in friendlies.

For those of you who follow the Chilean Primera Division, you likely know a lot about Bizama and his game. For most of us who can’t name more than 3 teams there, we’ll use the scouting tools we have in the 21^st century, EA Sports and YouTube. Here is Bizama’s player card from FIFA 19, showing his ratings for pace, shooting, passing, dribbling, defense, and physicality (on a scale of 0-100).

Here is a highlight video of Bizama from the 17/18 season as well as video of a goal he scored this season for Huachipato.

The big question for a lot of people with transfers is, “how much?” Bizama’s market value according to transfermarkt is a little over 500 thousand US dollars. AS Chile reported that the transfer fee will be 800 thousand US dollars, with Huachipato keeping 50% of Bizama’s player rights (in the event the Dynamo sell him down the road).

With a defender in the fold, it will be interesting to see what the Dynamo do now during the remainder of the transfer window. A Designated Player spot remains open, so there is potential for a “big signing”. The futures of Alberth Elis and Mauro Manotas also hang in the balance with rumors circulating about both players. Needless to say, this summer has the makings of being an intriguing one for Dynamo fans.