José Luis Soto


José Luis Soto Quirós was a Costa Rican football player, who played as a striker.

Club career

Born in Alajuela, Soto played club football in Costa Rica, Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Venezuela and Ecuador. He made his debut with Moravia in 1950.
Soto signed with Mexican Primera División side Deportivo Irapuato in 1954.
In 1958 he became Costa Rica Primera Division top goalscorer and was honoured athlete of the year. He won two league titles with Saprissa and one with Alajuelense.

International career

Nicknamed Saningo, Soto represented his country in 4 FIFA World Cup qualification matches.

Managerial career

After he retired from playing, Soto became a football coach. He managed Cartaginés, Puriscal, Pérez Zeledón, Sagrada Familia, Golfito, Santos de Guápiles and Orión.
He died, aged 73, in February 2006. He was survived by his wife and four children.