Óscar Duarte signs with Spanish club Levante

Costa Rican footballer Óscar Duarte will continue his professional career in Spain.

The 30-year-old defender has signed a contract with Levante U.D., which plays in La Liga, Spain’s top-tier league.

“Levante UD has reached an agreement with the player Oscar Duarte to join the club until June 2021, with the option of one additional season,” Levante announced Thursday morning.

Duarte, who was born in Nicaragua, recently finished a four-year stint with the Spanish club Espanyol.

In a video shared by his new club, Duarte said he recently spoke with Tico goalkeeper Keylor Navas, a former Levante player, and was excited to join the side.

“I will do my best,” Duarte said, “and I hope it is a great year for everyone.”

With the Costa Rican men’s national team, the defender has participated in two Copas América, two World Cups and two Gold Cups.

He’s perhaps best known for scoring the go-ahead goal that helped La Sele beat Uruguay in their opening match of the 2014 World Cup.

Duarte, overcome with emotion after the goal, became the first Nicaraguan to ever score in a World Cup and received a warm welcome in both countries upon his return.