Vélez Sársfield have chosen not to re-sign Santiago Silva from Fiorentina as an attacking reinforcement, and have instead opted to sign Mauro Obolo from Arsenal de Sarandí on a three-year contract.
Vélez, who finished third in the Argentine Apertura but were still 12 points behind runaway winners Boca Juniors, released a statement on their official website confirming the capture of the 30-year-old, and Obolo has declared himself delighted at the move.
"I am very grateful to Vélez, and I am going to have to work myself into the ground as I never have before", the striker commented to La Red radio. "I have a lot of confidence at this moment of my career and I hope to show my potential.
"The Vélez move all came about within a day", he continued, before adding that Boca Juniors were never in the frame. "At no point did Boca make a concrete offer.
"I have had continuity in the last few years. This helps you a lot: to finish, to hold the ball off against the opponent, it helps you in everything. It's crucial", the 30-year-old concluded.
Obolo began his career with Vélez, but found some of his best form for Arsenal in recent years after journeying between such sides as Piacenza, Lanús, Burgos and AIK Stockholm. He joins Federico Insúa in signing for Vélez in the close season, the 32-year-old Insúa having recently joined from Turkish outfit Bursaspor.
