Kaku (footballer)

{{Short description|Paraguayan footballer (born 1995)}}

{{family name hatnote|Romero|Gamarra|lang=Spanish}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Kaku

| image = Alejandro Romero 20180612 (cropped).jpg

| caption = Kaku with Paraguay in 2018

| full_name = Alejandro Sebastián Romero Gamarra

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1995|1|11}}

| birth_place = Ciudadela, Argentina

| height = 1.71 m

| position = Attacking midfielder, winger

| currentclub = Al Ain

| clubnumber = 10

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = Huracán

| years1 = 2013–2017

| clubs1 = Huracán

| caps1 = 94

| goals1 = 9

| years2 = 2018–2020

| clubs2 = New York Red Bulls

| caps2 = 72

| goals2 = 13

| years3 = 2021–2023

| clubs3 = Al Taawoun

| caps3 = 52

| goals3 = 16

| years4 = 2023–

| clubs4 = Al Ain

| caps4 = 36

| goals4 = 9

| nationalyears1 = 2015

| nationalteam1 = Argentina U20

| nationalcaps1 = 5

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 2018–

| nationalteam2 = Paraguay

| nationalcaps2 = 23

| nationalgoals2 = 5

| club-update = 21:21, 27 February 2025 (UTC)

| nationalteam-update = 20 March 2025

}}

Alejandro Sebastián Romero Gamarra (born 11 January 1995), nicknamed Kaku, is a professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for UAE Pro League club Al Ain and the Paraguay national team.

Club career

=Huracán=

Born in Ciudadela, Kaku began his career in the youth ranks of Huracán. In 2013, Kaku made his professional debut for Huracán in the Primera B Nacional. He scored his first goal for the club on 12 October 2013 in a 4–1 victory over Aldosivi.{{cite news|url=http://mundod.lavoz.com.ar/futbol/b-nacional-huracan-goleo-al-aldosivi-de-dario-franco|title= B Nacional: Huracán goleó al Aldosivi de Darío Franco|date=12 October 2013|work=mundod.lavoz.com.ar|language=spanish|accessdate=12 October 2013}} On 14 December 2014, Kaku helped Huracán return to the top flight after three seasons in the Primera B Nacional, scoring the decisive second goal in a 4–1 victory over Atlético Tucumán.{{cite news|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1752161-huracan-atletico-tucuman-nacional-b-desempate-ascenso-primera|title=Huracán es pura fiesta: goleó a Atlético Tucumán y vuelve a Primera División|date=14 December 2014|work=lanacion.com.ar|language=spanish|accessdate=14 December 2014|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930074953/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/deportes/futbol/huracan-atletico-tucuman-nacional-b-desempate-ascenso-primera-nid1752161//|url-status=dead}} With the promotion to the top flight, Huracán concluded a very successful season, having won the 2013–14 Copa Argentina a few weeks prior in a penalty shoot-out over Rosario Central with Kaku appearing as a second-half substitute.{{cite news|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1746857-rosario-central-huracan-copa-argentina|title=Huracán es campeón de la Copa Argentina, tras vencer a Rosario Central en una emotiva definición por penales|date=26 November 2014|work=lanacion.com.ar|language=spanish|accessdate=26 November 2014|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930074956/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/deportes/futbol/rosario-central-huracan-copa-argentina-nid1746857//|url-status=dead}} This was the club's first official title in 41 years.

On 3 February 2015, he scored his first goal in the Copa Libertadores against Peruvian club Alianza Lima in a 4–0 victory.{{cite news|url=http://www.diariojornada.com.ar/117919/deportes/huracan_goleo_a_alianza_lima/|title= Huracán goleó a Alianza Lima 4-0|date=3 February 2015|work=diariojornada.com.ar|language=spanish|accessdate=3 February 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://estadisticas.conmebol.com/html/v3/index.html?channel=deportes.futbol.libertadores.217310&lang=es_LA|title=Primera Fade Repechaje 1 Finalizado|work=Conmebol.com}} On 1 March 2016, Kaku led Huracán to a historic victory in the Copa Libertadores over Peñarol at the Estadio Centenario, scoring the lone goal in the 1–0 triumph.{{cite news|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1875452-penarol-huracan-grupo-4-copa-libertadores|title= Huracán festejó en el Centenario una valiosa victoria frente a Peñarol|date=1 March 2016|work=lanacion.com.ar|language=spanish|accessdate=1 March 2016}} A few weeks later, on 24 March Kaku scored his first goal in the Argentine Primera División in a 2–0 victory over Aldosivi.{{cite news|url=https://www.ole.com.ar/futbol-primera/huracan-aldosivi_0_1546045535.html|title= Vuela hacia la punta|date=24 March 2016|work=ole.com|language=spanish|accessdate=24 March 2016}} On 18 July 2016 he helped Huracán advance in the Copa Argentina scoring the opening goal in a 2–1 victory over Central Córdoba.{{cite news|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1919623-huracan-central-cordoba-copa-argentina-horario-tv-y-formaciones-del-partido-de-los-32avos-de-final|title= Huracán-Central Córdoba, Copa Argentina: el Globo ganó 2-1 y sigue adelante|date=18 July 2016|work=lanacion.com.ar|language=spanish|accessdate=18 July 2016}}

On 27 May 2017, he scored an injury time equalizer from the penalty spot in a 1–1 draw with Boca Juniors.{{cite news|url=https://elpais.com/deportes/2017/05/27/actualidad/1495844690_172217.html|title= Huracán Amarga a Boca en el último aliento con un penal polémico (1 a 1)|date=27 May 2017|work=elpais.com|language=spanish|accessdate=27 May 2017}}

On 1 June 2017, Kaku scored another important goal for his club, this time an injury time goal in a 4–0 victory over Deportivo Anzoátegui in the 2017 Copa Sudamericana. The goal helped Huracán advance to the next round by a 4–3 aggregate score after having lost the first leg by three goals.{{cite news|url=https://www.efe.com/efe/america/deportes/4-0-romero-gamarra-consuma-milagro-para-huracan-en-el-ultimo-minuto/20000010-3283487|title= 4-0. Romero Gamarra consuma milagro para Huracán en el último minuto|date=1 June 2017|work=efe.com|language=spanish|accessdate=1 June 2017}} On 16 June 2017, he scored the lone goal in a 1–0 victory over Unión de Santa Fe, helping his club to a crucial three points which helped Huracán avoid relegation.{{cite news|url=https://www.ole.com.ar/futbol-primera/Ganar_para_zafar_0_1815418531.html|title= Que Alívio, Globo!|date=16 June 2017|work=ole.com|language=spanish|accessdate=16 June 2017}} On 28 October 2017, Kaku scored his club's second goal in a 4–0 victory over Lanús and celebrated the goal dedicating it to his recently deceased mother.{{cite news|url=http://codigoquemero.com.ar/torneo-de-30-equipos/solo-pense-en-llorar-y-mirar-al-cielo/|title=Sólo pensé en llorar y mirar al cielo|date=29 October 2017|work=codigoquemero.com.ar|language=spanish|accessdate=29 October 2017|archive-date=28 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228171613/http://codigoquemero.com.ar/torneo-de-30-equipos/solo-pense-en-llorar-y-mirar-al-cielo/|url-status=dead}}

=New York Red Bulls=

On 23 December 2017, it was announced by Huracán that they had agreed a deal to transfer Kaku to New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer for a fee of $6.25 million.{{cite news|url=https://cahuracan.com/2017/12/23/huracan-acordo-la-venta-de-romero-gamarra/|title= Huracán acordó la venta de Romero Gamarra|date=23 December 2017|work=cahuracan.com|language=spanish|accessdate=23 December 2017}} After resolving various issues that held up the transfer, on 16 February 2018, it was announced that he had signed with New York.{{cite news|url=https://www.newyorkredbulls.com/post/2018/02/16/new-york-red-bulls-sign-alejandro-kaku-romero-gamarra-young-designated-player|title= New York Red Bulls Sign Alejandro 'Kaku' Romero Gamarra as Young Designated Player|date=16 February 2018|work=newyorkredbulls.com|language=english|accessdate=16 February 2018}} Red Bulls also sent $50,000 of General Allocation Money to Atlanta United, who owned his discovery rights.{{cite news|url=https://www.atlutd.com/post/2018/02/16/atlanta-united-acquires-50k-gam-new-york-red-bulls|title= Atlanta United acquires $50K in GAM from New York Red Bulls|date=16 February 2018|work=atlutd.com|language=english|accessdate=16 February 2018}} On 1 March 2018, Kaku made his debut for New York in a 2–0 victory over Olimpia in the CONCACAF Champions League.{{cite news|url=https://www.newyorkredbulls.com/post/2018/03/01/post-match-notes-red-bulls-defeat-cd-olimpia-2-0-face-tijuana-ccl-quarterfinals|title= Post-Match Notes: Red Bulls Defeat CD Olimpia, 2-0; Face Tijuana in CCL Quarterfinals|date=1 March 2018|work=NewYorkRedBulls.com|language=english|accessdate=1 March 2018}} On 10 March 2018, he assisted Ben Mines on the opening goal of the match on his Red Bulls league debut in a 4–0 victory over Portland Timbers.{{cite news|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/03/10/new-york-red-bulls-4-portland-timbers-0-2018-mls-match-recap|title=New York Red Bulls 4, Portland Timbers 0 - 2018 MLS Match Recap|date=10 March 2018|work=mlssoccer.com|language=english|accessdate=10 March 2018}} On 13 March 2018, Kaku scored his first goal for New York in a 3–1 victory over Club Tijuana in the CONCACAF Champions League, helping the club advance to semifinals of the Champions League for the first time.{{cite news|url=https://www.newyorkredbulls.com/post/2018/03/13/post-match-notes-red-bulls-moving-sccl-semis-defeat-tijuana-3-1|title=Red Bulls Moving On to SCCL Semis, Defeat Tijuana, 3-1|date=13 March 2018|work=newyorkredbulls.com|language=english|accessdate=13 March 2018}} On 14 April 2018, Kaku scored his first league goal for New York in a 3–1 victory over the Montreal Impact.{{cite news|url=https://www.newyorkredbulls.com/post/2018/04/14/match-recap-pres-provident-bank-new-york-red-bulls-bounce-montreal-impact-3-1|title=New York Red Bulls Bounce Montreal Impact, 3-1|date=14 April 2018|work=newyorkredbulls.com|language=english|accessdate=14 April 2018}}

On 28 April 2018, Kaku helped New York to a 3–2 victory over LA Galaxy, assisting on two goals and scoring the game winner with an 84th-minute penalty-kick goal.{{cite news|url=https://www.newyorkredbulls.com/post/2018/04/29/postgame-notes-red-bulls-win-3-2-thriller-over-galaxy|title=Red Bulls Win A 3-2 Thriller Over Galaxy|date=29 April 2018|work=newyorkredbulls.com|language=english|accessdate=29 April 2018}} The following week, 5 May 2018, Kaku opened the scoring for New York in a 4–0 derby victory over New York City FC, he also assisted on two other goals.{{cite news|url=https://www.newyorkredbulls.com/post/2018/05/05/postgame-notes-red-bulls-roll-past-rival-nycfc-4-0|title=Red Bulls Roll Past Rival NYCFC, 4-0|date=5 May 2018|work=newyorkredbulls.com|language=english|accessdate=5 May 2018}} On 6 December 2018, Kaku was named the New York Red Bulls Newcomer of the Year for 2018 after leading the team in assists throughout the season.{{cite news|url=https://www.newyorkredbulls.com/post/2018/12/06/new-york-red-bulls-announce-end-year-team-awards|title=New York Red Bulls Announce End of the Year Team Awards|date=6 December 2018|accessdate=5 June 2020}}

=Al-Taawoun=

On 1 February 2021, it was announced by Al-Taawoun of the Saudi Professional League that they had agreed to a transfer for Kaku.{{cite news|url=http://www.tigosports.com.py/futbol/paraguayos-al-taawoun-presenta-oficialmente-al-kaku-alejandro-romero|title=Al-Taawoun presenta oficialmente al Kaku Romero|date=2 February 2021|accessdate=2 February 2021}} On 17 February 2021, Romero Gamarra's former club New York Red Bulls and Major League Soccer sought arbitration against Kaku and the MLS Players Association for breach of contract.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/new-york-red-bulls/story/4317866/mlsnyrb-want-arbitration-to-settle-kaku-contract-saga|title=MLS, NYRB want arbitration to settle Kaku contract saga|date=17 February 2021|accessdate=14 May 2021}} In April 2021 arbiter Shyam Das ruled against the MLSPA and Kaku and found that New York Red Bulls and Major League Soccer had exercised their unilateral contract option on Kaku prior to 31 December 2020.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/4384936/mls-files-petition-against-kakumlspa-as-transfer-saga-continues|title=MLS files petition against Kaku, MLSPA as transfer saga continues|date=13 May 2021|accessdate=14 May 2021}} On 12 May 2021, Major League Soccer and New York Red Bulls filed a petition in United States federal court seeking to have the arbitration decision enforced.{{cite news|url=https://www.law360.com/employment/articles/1384225|title=MLS Says Player Must Return From Saudi Arabia Under CBA|date=12 May 2021|accessdate=14 May 2021}} On 22 July 2021, MLS and New York Red Bulls filed suit in United States federal court against Kaku's agent Scott Pearson and Pearson's company Argentine Futbol Tours LLC, alleging "tortious interference" in Kaku's move to Al-Taawoun and seeking in excess of $6 million in damages.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/new-york-red-bulls/story/4437160/mlsnyrb-sue-agent-over-kakus-saudi-club-transfer-saga|title=MLS, New York Red Bulls sue agent over Kaku's Saudi club transfer saga|date=22 July 2021|accessdate=18 August 2021}} On 16 September 2021, MLS and New York Red Bulls voluntarily dismissed their suit against Pearson.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/new-york-red-bulls/story/4476843/mlsnew-york-red-bulls-dismiss-lawsuit-against-kaku-advisor|title =MLS, New York Red Bulls dismiss lawsuit against Kaku advisor|date = 16 September 2021|accessdate=3 November 2021}}

International career

Kaku was born in Argentina to Paraguayan parents. He was selected by Argentina's U-20 manager, Humberto Grondona to participate in the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand.{{cite news|url=http://www.afa.org.ar/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24168:grondona-ya-definio-a-los-21-mundialistas&catid=166:seleccion-sub-20&Itemid=583&lang=en|title= Grondona ya definió a los 21 mundialistas|date=13 May 2015|work=afa.org.ar|language=spanish|access-date=13 May 2015}} On 16 May 2018, Kaku announced his desire to file a one-time switch request with FIFA to play for Paraguay.{{cite news|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/05/16/report-kaku-considering-one-time-switch-play-paraguay-national-team|title=Kaku Considering One time Switch to play for Paraguay National Team|date=17 May 2018|work=mlssoccer.com|language=english|access-date=17 May 2018}} The move was approved by FIFA on 23 May 2018, and he was immediately called up to the Paraguay national team for a friendly against Japan.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newyorkredbulls.com/post/2018/05/23/new-york-red-bulls-midfielder-kaku-makes-one-time-switch-paraguay-national-team|title=New York Red Bulls Midfielder Kaku Makes One-Time Switch to Paraguay National Team|access-date=23 May 2018|archive-date=24 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524081216/https://www.newyorkredbulls.com/post/2018/05/23/new-york-red-bulls-midfielder-kaku-makes-one-time-switch-paraguay-national-team|url-status=dead}} He made his competitive debut for Paraguay on 12 June, as a substitute in the second half of the friendly match against Japan.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

Career statistics

=Club=

{{updated|match played 27 February 2025}}{{Soccerway|alejandro-romero-gamarra/305868|access-date=18 February 2021}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

rowspan="2"|Club

!rowspan="2"|Season

!colspan="3"|League

!colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Copa Argentina, U.S. Open Cup, King Cup, UAE President's Cup}}

!colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes UAE League Cup}}

!colspan="2"|Continental

!colspan="2"|Other

!colspan="2"|Total

DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
rowspan="7"|Huracán

|2013–14

|rowspan="2"|Primera B Nacional

16230colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—192
20146300colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—63
2015

|rowspan="4"|Argentine Primera División

17000colspan="2"|—11{{efn|Three appearances in Copa Sudamericana, eight appearances and one goal in Copa Libertadores}}1colspan="2"|—281
201616121colspan="2"|—9{{efn|name=COL|Appearances in Copa Libertadores}}2colspan="2"|—274
2016–1727230colspan="2"|—3{{efn|name=COS|Appearances in Copa Sudamericana}}1colspan="2"|—333
2017–1812100colspan="2"|—00colspan="2"|—121
colspan="2"|Total

!94

981002340012514
rowspan="4"|New York Red Bulls

|2018

|rowspan="3"|MLS

|30

610colspan="2"|—3{{efn|name=CCL|Appearances in CONCACAF Champions League}}14{{efn|name=MLSPO|Appearance(s) in MLS Cup Playoffs}}0387
2019

|26

510colspan="2"|—4{{efn|name=CCL}}01{{efn|name=MLSPO}}0325
2020

|16

2colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2" |—1{{efn|name=MLSPO}}0172
colspan="2"|Total

!72

13200071608714
rowspan="4"|Al-Taawoun

|2020–21

|rowspan="3"|Saudi Pro League

|11

732colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—149
2021–22

|15

311colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—164
2022–23

|26

612colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—278
colspan="2"|Total

!52

16550000005721
rowspan="3"|Al Ain

|2023–24{{citation needed|date=March 2025}}

|rowspan="2"|UAE Pro League

|20

5203111{{efn|name=ACL|Appearances in AFC Champions League}}4colspan="2"|—3610
2024–25{{citation needed|date=March 2025}}

|16

400208{{efn|name=ACL}}3colspan="2"|—267
colspan="2"|Total

!36

92051187006217
colspan="3"|Career total

!254

481765148126033167

{{notelist}}

=International=

{{updated|20 March 2025}}{{NFT player|71407|access-date=27 January 2022}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year

National teamYearAppsGoals
rowspan="7"|Paraguay

|2018

20
201932
202011
202172
202350
202440
202510
colspan="2"|Total235

:Scores and results list Paraguay's goal tally first.

class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%;"

! No. !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition

1.10 September 2019Amman International Stadium, Amman, Jordan{{fb|JOR}}align=center | 4–2align=center | 4–2rowspan=2 | Friendly
2.13 October 2019Tehelné pole, Bratislava, Slovakia{{fb|SVK}}align=center | 1–1align=center | 1–1
3.17 November 2020Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción, Paraguayrowspan=2 | {{fb|BOL}}align=center | 2–2align=center | 2–22022 FIFA World Cup qualification
4.14 June 2021Estádio Olímpico Pedro Ludovico, Goiânia, Brazilalign=center | 1–1align=center | 3–12021 Copa América
5.9 September 2021Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción, Paraguay{{fb|VEN}}align=center | 2–0align=center | 2–12022 FIFA World Cup qualification
colspan="12"|Correct as of 9 September 2021

Honours

Huracán

New York Red Bulls

Al Ain

  • AFC Champions League: 2023–24{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/news/al_ain_claim_historic_second_title.html|title=Al Ain claim historic second title|website=The AFC|date=25 May 2024|accessdate=8 June 2024}}

Individual

References

{{Reflist}}