NorthEast United FC are in advance talks with 31-year-old Spanish defender Jon Gaztañaga, IFTWC can confirm.
“The Highlanders have identified their target in Spanish player Jon Gaztañaga and are eager to sign him for the next season. The club is in advance talks with the experienced campaigner who has also had stints in Cyprus and Romania along with having played in his native Spain,” a source close to the development informed IFTWC.
About Jon Gaztañaga and his Previous Stints
Born in Andoain, Gipuzkoa, Gaztañaga was a product of Real Sociedad’s youth system. He made his senior debut with the B team, spending several seasons in Segunda División B with the side and also achieving promotion from Tercera División in 2010. He has played for the Real Sociedad B team in 133 matches.
Gaztañaga made his official debut with the main squad against Getafe CF in August 2013. His first appearance in the UEFA Champions League took place on 10th December, in the group stage defeat to Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the Anoeta Stadium.
In early 2014, Jon Gaztañaga renewed his contract with Real Sociedad until 2016, being promoted to the first team in May. In January 2015, after appearing sparingly during the first half of the campaign, he joined Segunda División club SD Ponferradina on loan until June.
In July 2015, Gaztañaga was loaned to fellow league team CD Numancia for one year. In August 2017, he agreed to a three-year deal with Gimnàstic de Tarragona also from the second tier after becoming a free agent. Gaztañaga terminated his contract with Nàstic in June 2018.
In August 2018, he moved abroad for the first time in his career and joined Cypriot First Division club AEL Limassol. He made his debut five days later. After two seasons in Cyprus, Gaztañaga left the club ahead of the 2020–21 and spent the season in the Romanian Liga I with FC Viitorul Constanța. In June 2021, he returned to Spain and joined Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa of the newly created Primera División RFEF.
In terms of honours, Jon Gaztañaga has won UEFA European Under-17 Championship in 2008 with Spain. In club football, he won Tercera División in the 2009–10 season with the Real Sociedad B team and his latest achievement was in Cyprus where he won the Cypriot Cup in the 2018–19 season with AEL Limassol.
One of Gaztañaga’s biggest strengths alongside his physical and technical ability is that he can play in both midfield and defense, which puts any club which signs him at an advantage. Having played and trained in the best leagues in the world, Jon is surely a player NorthEast United FC fans can be happy about if the deal gets completed successfully.
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