The UNAM announced through social media the arrival of four players to strengthen their squad for the Apertura 2021

The Pumas from UNAM already have their four reinforcements defined for the Apertura 2021 and, pending the necessary medical exams and the respective signing of their contracts, they will all be presented in a joint virtual press conference, possibly on Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.

The Pumas confirmed the information on their social media on Tuesday night.

The Ecuadorian Washington Corozo, a powerful 22-year-old forward standing at 1.80 meters, who plays as a left winger or as a number 9, comes from Sporting Cristal in Peru and has played in Ecuador's youth national teams. Corozo arrives on loan for one year with a purchase option.

After seven years away from the institution, Mexican defender Efraín Velarde, one of the most experienced players in the Liga MX, at 35 years old and 17 years since he made his professional debut precisely with the Club Universidad, returns to his home.

"Chispa" Velarde played for Pumas from 2004 to 2014, then went to Monterrey and from there had a journey through León, Toluca, Morelia, and Mazatlán FC, but now he is about to return home to compete on the left side with fellow academy graduate Jerónimo Rodríguez.

Higor Meritão, José Rogério, Washington Corozo and Efraín Velarde will undergo physical and medical exams, once the exams are approved, they will be officially presented as part of the Club.#SoyDePumas pic.twitter.com/L5YHjNWYIf

— PUMAS (@PumasMX) June 2, 2021

On the other hand, the feline team adds the Brazilians José Rogério de Oliveira and Higor Meritão. In the case of José Rogério, he is a 30-year-old forward who moves all along the attacking front, although he mainly plays through the center and the left side, with good shooting ability on both feet.

Official communication from Sporting Cristal Club about the footballer Washington Corozo. pic.twitter.com/qJl1XPrFDB

— Club Sporting Cristal (@ClubSCristal) June 2, 2021

Meanwhile, Meritão is a 26-year-old defensive midfielder who has played in several divisions of Brazilian football and will join Pumas to compete in that position with Juan Pablo Vigón and Érik Lira, two of the most solid players in the Club Universidad over the past year.

Luis Fernando Quintana joins the departures

Central defender Luis Fernando Quintana will not continue at Pumas, as his contract has expired and he is not part of the plans of the board and coaching staff for the upcoming season.

Quintana's departure adds to those of Juan Manuel Iturbe and Facundo Waller, as well as Leonel López, who is not in the plans and is being sought by another team.