Mumbai City FC have completed the signing of midfielder Alberto Noguera from FC Goa, IFTWC can confirm.
As per our sources, the Islanders were not the only team chasing the 32-year-old versatile midfielder from Spain. A source close to the development informed IFTWC that ISL clubs East Bengal and Odisha FC showed keen interest to sign Alberto Noguera.
Yesterday Mumbai City FC announced the departure of six players from last season which included Spanish striker Igor Angulo, Brazilian forwards Cassio Gabriel and Diego Mauricio, Australian midfielder Bradden Inman. While Indian defender Mohammed Rakip and goalkeeper Vikram Singh are also on their way out.
Mumbai City FC have already completed the signing of Australian striker David Williams from ATK Mohun Bagan and Scottish midfielder Greg Stewart from Jamshedpur FC. Both the players have signed a pre-contract agreement with the club.
The Islanders have already renewed the contracts of defender Mourtada fall and midfielder Ahmed Jahouh last season. Thus Noguera will become the 5th foreign player to sign for the Islanders in the upcoming season.
Alberto Noguera began his youth career with Spanish club Getafe and went on to play for Rayo Vallecano B, Rayo Majadahonda and SS Reyes.
Noguera joined Atletico Madrid and played for the club’s B and C sides respectively before finally making his debut for the senior team in 2012. Noguera thereafter moved to England to join former English Championship side Blackpool FC.
It was followed by a season with FC Baku in Azerbaijan. He moved back to Spain in 2014 and signed for Trival Valderas. In 2015 he signed for Spanish side CF Fuenlabrada and after one year of staying at the club, he signed for Lorca FC in 2016.
After having a two-year stint with Lorca FC, Noguera signed for CD Numancia in 2018. He left the club on a six-month loan deal to Racing Santander in 2019.
After returning from the loan in July 2019, Noguera continued at the club for another year before signing for FC Goa in September 2020 ahead of the ISL 20/21 season. Ever since then Alberto has been with the Gaurs and played a key role in the team’s midfield.
In his first season, he won the DHL Winning Pass of the League award after providing eight assists for the highest number of assists he made in the league that season.
Last season Noguera scored 3 goals and recovered 3 assists in 19 appearances. He also scored one goal in the Durand Cup in which he made 6 appearances.
In total Alberto Noguera has made 45 appearances for FC Goa in all competitions while scoring 5 goals and also providing 10 assists.
Mumbai City will look to increase their depth and quality in the midfield after signing Alberto Noguera. With the likes of Ahmed Jahouh, Apuia, Greg Stewart, Raynier Fernandes and Rowllin Borges already present in the heart of Mumbai’s midfield, expect the Islanders to add some more creativity and flair in it with the signing of Alberto Noguera.
The midfield will be even more compact and balanced than ever before, thus making the Islanders strong candidates compete for the ISL league shield and trophy next season.
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