18th June 2001
I was always going to join Hibernian
Top European clubs could not draw De La Cruz from his Hibs destiny
(Stuart Crowther)

IT WAS HAPPY FACES ALL ROUND at Easter Road this morning when Hibernian unveiled their record signing, Ulisse de la Cruz having turned his back on a number of big-name clubs in Europe to settle on a four-year deal with Hibernian.

Alex McLeish's long chase to secure the highly-rated Ecuador international finally came to a conclusion, and next season Hibs fans can look forward to De La Cruz forging a path down the right wing at Easter Road, a mouth-watering prospect given the reputation that precedes the 27-year-old with over 40 international appearances to his name and looking very much like starring for his country in the World Cup Finals next year.

De La Cruz is flanked by Eric Manasse and Alex McLeish today (Hibs.net)

Immediately after signing the deal with Hibs today De La Cruz was heading back to Ecuador, where he will settle some family affairs before returning to Easter Road for pre-season - but the player will only have five days to enjoy his new surrounds before heading back to South America for the Copa America tournament.  His agent Eric Manasse said today: "Obviously it depends on how far Ecuador goes in that tournament, they might go all the way to the final but it might be better for Hibernian if they don't.  In which case he should be back here for the beginning of the season on July 28th - he is not going to be missing that much depending on how things go with the Ecuador team in the Copa America."

Hibernian fans will be taken a special interest in that particular tournament, hoping De La Cruz does well while at the same time with mixed feelings if Ecuador go all the way!  The problems of Hibs signing an established international were highlighted by the constant calls on former player Russell Latapy, but the while accepting that some give and take will be required De La Cruz said: "Many of the dates are pre-set international dates in any case.  I have five games left in the World Cup and those are obligated games I will have to be at, but three of those are going to be at the same time as Scotland have games but yes, there is always going to be some jet-lag and I will have to go 3 or 4 days before to acclimatise."

Ulisse de la Cruz talks to Hibs.net today (Hibs.net)

The reputation of Alex McLeish had much to do with the De La Cruz's decision to sign for Hibs, and the player was quick to acknowledge the part played both by McLeish and Hibs managing director Rod Petrie in persuading him that his immediate future lay in Edinburgh rather than perhaps some of the more exotic footballing locations around Europe.  Manasse said: "There was interest by three major clubs in Europe, one in Italy, one in France and another in Spain, all of them first division clubs.  But the initial serious enquiry came from Alex McLeish and Rod Petrie, and that made us favour this club over all the others.  It was a gamble for us to come to Scotland, but we are very happy that we decided to do so.  A big thing was the fact that Alex McLeish took the trouble to come over to Ecuador to watch and meet Ulisse, they got to know each other and became friends and that was one of the reasons that we favoured Hibernian."

De La Cruz revealed that he had some knowledge of the game in Scotland, and had actually played in an international against the Scots which ended in a 1-1 draw.  He said: "I have seen Scottish football on television, and I know that it is a fast, physical game and that physical condition is very important over here.  I've also seen English and Scottish style players, and played against Scotland when they played in Japan, ending 1-1.  And of course I am aware of players like Claudio Caniggia who now play in Scotland, I played against him in an international against Argentina.  I now hope though to bring my own style of football to add to the talent of the team, perhaps some South American flair - I hope to be able to show my talents on the Hibernian football field."

Hibs record signing with his agent Eric Manasse (Hibs.net)

Family life is another important aspect for De La Cruz, married to wife Elizabeth he has two sons with the whole family excited about their forthcoming move to Edinburgh, with the hunt for a new home as close to Easter Road as possible already underway.  And Ulisse recognised the importance of the financial details of the package he has negotiated at Easter Road, and the higher quality of living it will provide himself and his family in Scotland.  Manasse confirmed: "Ulisse will earn much more by coming to Europe than had he remained in Ecuador, that's for sure.  There are parts of South America where he could perhaps have earned just as much, in Argentina and perhaps Chile, but this is definitely a step up for him in the earnings scale.  Also the organisation of the pay scale and the payment of bonuses is much better organised than in South America."

It is the football however that Hibs fans will be impatient to see in the new season, with the prospect of Laursen on the left flank being complimented by De La Cruz on the right, a combination that has the potential to cause some serious sleepless nights for other clubs in the SPL.  Ulisse said: "I like the open spaces, and to go up the right wing and make passes or cross towards the goal.  I defend on the man marker system, because that is what I am used to doing for the national team."  And Manasse gave his own view of how his charge plays the game, adding: "Ulisse is a one-touch player, he likes to play the one-two and also to move up the right wing and take defenders on, giving himself the opportunity to either play a cross in or shoot himself from outside the area.  He scores a lot of goals from outside the box with both right and left foot, I'm not comparing him to Beckham but it is similar to what Beckham does for Manchester United, with both the shooting ability and turning in crosses for the centre-forwards.

"Ulisse likes to take corners as well, because he has an in-swinging corner kick, but he also takes free kicks from outside the box, he has a very rising shot, starts off low and often goes up into the corner.  He scored recently against Brazil from outside the box, beating Roberto Carlos before shooting from outside the area into the upper left hand corner of the goal, it was an amazing goal."  It's a picture that Hibs fans would welcome to see repeated at Easter Road, and one that will have everyone looking forward to the new season with impatience!