Cuban Star Replaces Stanley

Russian club team Ural Ufa has replaced the injured Clay Stanley with…

Cuban outside hitter ALAIN ROCA!

The American opposite hitter & 2008 Olympic gold medalist and MVP has returned to the US to treat a  minor injury and to make it sure that he recovers just in time before the Norceca 2012 Olympic Qualifier. Smart move for Clay! Team USA needs him to be in great shape for this tournament knowing that they failed to finish in the top 3 at the 2011 World Cup.

We wish Clay a speedy recovery!

Back to Roca…

The 35 year old outside hitter who was one of Cuba’s best athletes has officially signed on to replace Stanley & make his Ural Ufa debut this coming Thursday in the Russian Super League. Before moving to Russia, Roca played for Italian club team Andreoli Latina in the Italian League. He parted ways with his former team in good terms with Latina saying that Ural Ufa offered Alain a $$$ contract to play for the rest of the season.

Roca has also played in the Brazilian and Turkish Leagues.

As far as we know, Roca quit the National Team and he didn’t actually defect as we previously thought. He became inactive for 5 years before getting the permission from the Cuban government to become a professional player. With this mutual agreement, Roca can visit Cuba anytime he wants unlike those who have defected, ie Aguero, Tellez & Marshall to name a few.

Ural already has the legendary setter Lloy Ball so no doubt Roca’s addition to the team will make them stronger and a threat to the top teams in the league like Zenit Kazan and Lokomotiv.

G-luck Alain and Team Ufa!

(images: FIVB/ volley.ru)