Dundee manager Tony Docherty is optimistic about the club's new partnership with Mexican powerhouse Monterrey, which he believes could give them a significant edge over their Scottish Premiership competitors.
The excitement comes on the heels of signing 19-year-old midfielder Cesar Garza on-loan last weekend, a promising talent with a wealth of potential.
Garza, who plays as a defensive midfielder, joins Dundee after gaining valuable first-team experience with Monterrey, a club renowned for its success in the CONCACAF Champions League, having won the title five times.
His arrival on Tayside ahead of a January loan is seen as a strategic move that could bolster Dundee’s midfield options significantly, something Docherty has credited owners Tim Keyes and John Nelms for making happen.
The partnership between Dundee and Monterrey, established the Dark Blues' hierarchy on November 21, is part of a broader initiative to enhance the club's recruitment strategy.
This collaboration aims not only to bring in young talents like Garza but also to create a clear pathway for promising players from Monterrey’s academy to transition into European football.
Keyes and Nelms have emphasised that this deal is a vital step in expanding Dundee's global reach and competitiveness.
Earlier this year, Dundee also entered into a similar agreement with English Championship club Burnley, showcasing their commitment to building a robust network of partnerships that can facilitate player development and recruitment.
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“He’s one that we identified, a really talented young player," said the Dundee boss. "He was part of the Mexico Under-20 CONACAF Championship winning team.
“He’s played 12 times for Monterrey and he’s someone that we thought he fits in with our kind of style of play. He’s a really combative midfielder, real passion, really loves getting in about it, tackling and winning things.
“He’s a good character. Obviously our experience with Antonio Portales and the amount that we’ve watched him, we’re confident we’re bringing in a really good player there and again, it will increase competition for places.
“Antonio was a young player at Monterrey himself, so he knows, he’s been here, he’s settled in.
“He’s come in and he’s met the rest of the boys and he’ll train with us over the next couple of days, but really excited to get him in the building.
“The thing I really need to commend the club on, particularly John and Tim, we’re always thinking outside the box. Where can we look at another market?
“We did that through the research we did looking at Antonio when we brought him and Diego Pineda across and we’ve continued to look in that market and we’ve established a partnership with a fantastic club in Monterrey.
“The by-product of that is that we’ll get good players in, they’ll get good experience coming and playing in Scotland and it’s just another way you’re trying to be a wee bit ahead of the game.”
