TORONTO — York United FC has signed midfielder Santiago Marquez, son of legendary Mexican defender Rafael Marquez, on loan for the remainder of the 2024 season.
The 21-year-old, who arrives from Liga MX side Club Necaxa, becomes the fifth Mexican on the York roster, joining Oswaldo Leon, Josue Martinez, Orlando Botello and Jorge Guzman.
The Canadian Premier League club was purchased in November by Game Plan Sports Group, a Mexican consortium led by the Pasquel brothers.
York (9-5-4) has climbed into first place in the CPL under Mexican coach Benjamin Mora, who took charge of the team in early June.
Santiago Marquez has played mostly for Necaxa's under-23 team but joined the senior squad for a game against visiting Tigres last year. He was on the bench twice recently for Necaxa's Leagues Cup games against Minnesota United and the Seattle Sounders.
"We're excited to land a player of Santiago's quality," York president and GM Ricardo Pasquel said in a statement. "Like Jorge (Guzman), he's another example of a young talent who has already amassed plenty of experience in a competitive environment."
"We've been on a good run recently but can't rest on our laurels," Pasquel added. "When we have an opportunity to pounce on impressive personnel, we're going to take it … With so little between the teams in the CPL right now, these additional elements like Jorge and Santiago could prove crucial in the battle for the championship."
Rafael Marquez won 147 caps for Mexico and took part in five World Cups, retiring after the 2018 tournament. At club level, he began and ended his career with Mexico's Atlas, also playing for Barcelona, the MLS New York Red Bulls, Mexico's Club Leon and Italy's Hellas Verona.
The former Mexico captain is currently an assistant coach with the national team and is expected to take over from Javier Aguirre after the 2026 World Cup.
York hosts fourth-place Cavalry FC (6-3-9) on Friday.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 12, 2024.
Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press