We remember the bombastic signings made by the sacred team during their heyday in our football. do you remember everyone
San Martín’s performance in Peruvian football was one of the most beautiful in recent decades. With three national titles in seven seasons (2007, 2008 and 2010), those from Santa Anita had a period of clear dominance in our football. Currently, those glory years seem a long way off as the white team are in the second tier after several seasons of wandering through the top tier.
‘Hachita’ Ludueña celebrates a goal against River Plate, the club that loaned it to San Martín. Photo: EFE
One could say that San Martín’s golden days were from 2007 to 2012, years when the university cast fought for the top spots and won titles. During this period, the Saints became an attractive target for many footballers. There were many footballers who felt captivated by the economy or the continuity gained at the student club.
In this note we will review the players who have arrived at the height of San Martín. One of the first was Roberto Ovelar, who came to Peru in 2008. The “Buffalo” came on loan from Cerro Porteño from Paraguay to the then Peruvian champions and stayed for a season. He scored nine goals in 30 games played.
Germán Alemanno, Héber Arriola and Pablo Vitti after winning the 2011 final. Photo: GLR
The following year he came Gonzalo Luduena. “Hachita” was loaned out by River Plate so he could pick up minutes and return with more experience. He was the 2009 holy scorer with 10 goals and had to return to the millionaire team afterwards. But without a doubt, the most popular supplements came in 2010: Hebrew Arriola, German German j Paul Vitti.
That Argentine trident was essential for the Santa Anita players to claim the 2011 Decentralized title. Arriola and Vitti arrived from the MLS as free agents from Paraguay’s Nacional and Toronto, respectively. Alemanno, meanwhile, has been loaned out by Rosario Central. This season also came Aldo Korso who signed a preliminary contract with the Albos months earlier when he was still part of Alianza Lima.
Luis Perea and Johnnier Montaño celebrate a bit with the sacred jacket. Photo: GLR
After finishing fourth in the 2011 Primera División, the university students decided to fight for the 2012 title with a large and quality squad. That’s how they got into the club Luis Alberto Perea j Johnnier Montano, who had previously attracted attention with the jackets by León de Huánuco and Alianza Lima. The striker came from Everton in Chile and the midfielder from Konyaspor in Turkey.
Unfortunately, the 2012 season was not good for the college cast and they finished 11th, far from qualifying for an international tournament and even farther from the title. That year also saw the last sacred participation in a continental competition, beginning the team’s period of decline.