Washington Ortega, the new goalkeeper for Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, recently spoke to La Teja about his arrival in Costa Rica and his aspirations for the upcoming season.

At 30 years old, Ortega brings with him a determination to succeed and is prepared to fill the shoes of the previous goalkeeper, Leonel Moreira.

Ortega, who hails from Uruguay, openly expressed his eagerness to compete for championships and affirmed the trust placed in him by the team's management.

Although he has only been in Costa Rica for a few days, Ortega has quickly noticed the passion the nation has for football, likening it to the fervor found in his home country.

'What surprised me was the passion of Costa Ricans for football,' Ortega remarked.

'Seeing so many people wearing their team jerseys in the streets was unexpected but delightful.

We are a small country in Uruguay, with three million people; you have five million here, which is somewhat similar.

We are very passionate, and I see you live football that way as well.'

Prior to his arrival, Ortega's knowledge of Costa Rican football was limited to the well-known clubs Alajuelense and Saprissa.

However, his first substantial encounter with Costa Rican football occurred during the 2010 World Cup qualifying playoff.

'That was when I first started to truly see the football culture, the country, and began to understand its beauty – the natural resources and gorgeous beaches,' he shared.

Ortega also acknowledged the growth of Costa Rica in both football and national prominence, referencing notable figures like Keylor Navas.

The passion and intensity of the Costa Rican football scene do not daunt Ortega, who thrives in high-pressure environments.

'I like that atmosphere.

At Equidad, we had many young players, and I always felt it was better to take the brunt of the pressure myself, allowing the younger players to perform without stress,' he explained.

Alajuelense fans appreciate players who can manage pressure in critical moments, and Ortega feels he is up to the task.

'In important matches, I always aim to do my best.

I enjoy playing in them and hope to meet everyone's expectations,' he stated.

Ortega understands that there might be skepticism surrounding his signing, but he remains committed to proving his value on the field.

'It's normal for people to have doubts when someone new comes in.

I am aware of the responsibility I have in this club, and I hope to earn their trust by helping achieve our common goals,' he added.

As Ortega waits for his documentation to be finalized, he hopes to join training and debut for Alajuelense as soon as possible, signaling the start of what he hopes will be a successful tenure with the club.