FC Goa is the first team to qualify directly for AFC Champions League. After the 2019-20 season ended, FC Goa appointed Juan Ferrando as their Head-Coach for the upcoming season. Recently FC Goa signed James Donachie as an Asian quota player and has completed their foreign signings.
Looking back at some dramatic events, in the last week of January 2020, due to disputes, FC Goa’s management sacked head coach Sergio Lobera. After being appointed by Mumbai City FC, Lobera started his work and roped in FC Goa captain itself Mandar Rao Dessai. The Defensive Midfielder Ahmed Jahouh and Defender Mourtada Fall followed the same path. Surprisingly, Hugo Boumous was roped in by Mumbai City FC by paying a record release clause fee of 1.6 Crore rupees. The all-time top goal scorer of ISL, Ferran Corominas, was not offered a contract extension as the team looked out for new fresh faces for the new season. Let’s have a glance at the six overseas recruits of FC Goa:-
Edu Bedia (Midfielder, Contract Extended) –
The 31-year-old Spaniard is a product of Racing Santander.Edu also holds the experience of playing in La Liga in Spain with renowned clubs. He joined FC Goa in 2017, in same season he scored once and provided two assists. ISL 2018-19 season was more better for him as he scored 7 goals & assisted for 5 times. He has also represented his nation in U-20 level.
As club has qualified for AFC Champions League 2021, Edu Bedia extended his contract with the club for two more years making him to stay at the club till May 2022. As Jahouh has left the team, it is clear that Edu will take the position of Defensive-Midfielder.
Igor Angulo (Striker, Signed from Górnik Zabrze) –
The 36-year-old Spanish Centre-Forward Igor Angulo turned out to be the first new foreign signing of the season for FC Goa. Angulo spent his last four years with Gornik Zabrze in Poland. Angulo has been a definite threat to opposition from around & inside the box. Playing there he scored 80 goals and furthermore provided 21 assists. Before joining Gornik Zabrze, he played for many Spanish clubs like Atletico Bilbao, Numancia & Real Union. This will be his first opportunity to play outside Europe.
His ability to score is unique which is based on link up play & passes he receives. Hence it’s clear that he needs a playmaker who can band together with him to score goals. Igor has signed a one-year deal with the club having the option to extend if he scores 20+ goals in the upcoming ISL and AFC Champions League.
Jorge Ortiz Mendoza (Winger, Signed from Atlético Baleares) –
A tug of war happened between Mumbai City FC and FC Goa to sign this 28-year-old winger. But at last FC Goa managed to sign him. What makes Ortiz so special? Ortiz can be called a complete package, as he can play on both wings and as a striker too. He made 115 appearances, scoring 22 goals & assisting in 4 goals for various Segunda Division clubs. Ortiz has been deployed as a winger mainly.
His pace & capability of playing on wings and crossing from wide areas caught the eye of FC Goa. The partner needed by Angulo can be Ortiz, as Ortiz has always been a threat to opponents by taking a shot on goal as well as surpassing the full-backs to assist the striker. It will be interesting to watch Ortiz as to when he will be playing as a winger and also a striker in the team. Ortiz will remain at club till end of 2022 season as per the contract.
Ivan Gonzalez (Centre-Back, Signed from Cultural Leonesa) –
The Real Madrid youth product and former captain of Cultural Leonesa, Ivan Gonzalez is prepared to fill the boots of retired Carlos Pena. Winger Jorge Ortiz & Ivan played a season together at Cultural Leonesa in the 2018-19 Spanish season. Ivan expertises in zonal defense and stopping shots from the opposition. Playing as a Centre-Back, there’s no doubt that he will help Indian full-backs like Seriton & Gama for keeping possession in the game.
Alberto Noguera (Midfielder, Signed from Numancia) –
The 30-year-old Central-Midfielder has played for various La-Liga clubs like Atletico Madrid, Numancia and Racing Santander. Its widely known to everybody that he’s been considered as the replacement of Hugo Boumous in Attacking Midfield. Alberto have signed a two-year long contract with the club.
Looking at the stats, Alberto has been a creative midfielder on the field with disciplined passing and dribbling ability. 261 appearances in Laliga 2 and in the Segunda Division will be his plus point as he may be the complete solution in midfield to create more chances for the striker and dribble through the opposition’s defensive midfielders and help wingers.
James Donachie (Centre-Back, On loan from Newcastle Jets) –
Centre-Back James started his youth career at Brisbane Roar in 2010. He made his professional debut in the 2011-2012 season of A-League. Recently he joined Newcastle Jets from Melbourne Victory. The 27-year-old is taller than former FC Goa’s Senegalese defender Mourtada Fall. James also possesses the experience of playing AFC Champions League matches for Australian clubs. Till now he made 146 appearances for 3 clubs. His ability to play across the defensive line has been eye-catching. His addition to FC Goa is crucial as he would be the key man in defence alongside Ivan Gonzalez.
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