The experienced offensive midfielder joins Manolo Marquez’s side from last-season’s runners-up ATK Mohun Bagan.
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Indian Super League franchise (ISL) Hyderabad FC have completed the signing of Spanish player Eduardo ‘Edu’ Garcia. This decision was communicated by the club on Monday. The experienced offensive midfielder can operate in multiple roles. He joins Manolo Marquez’s side from last season’s runners-up ATK Mohun Bagan. Garcia has signed a one-year deal with Hyderabad FC.
“I am very excited to start my journey with Hyderabad FC. Promise to give my best and help the club grow with my experience and my work,” said the Spaniard after the deal was signed.
“I want HFC to finish as high as possible on the table, and will work hard for that. Will also always try to help the team by giving what the coach wants from me,” he added.
Born in Zaragoza, Spain, Garcia spent three seasons with the Real Zaragoza’s B side. He further went on to represent the senior team in the 2016-17 season of the Spanish Segunda Division. Garcia moved to India for the first time with Bengaluru FC in 2017. He made 14 appearances in the ISL before joining Chinese side Zhejiang Greentown. The Chinese franchise paid a transfer fee to secure the signature.
Garcia returned to India with ATK FC in January 2018. He further helped the Kolkata-based side to the ISL title in 2019-20. The Spaniard scored in the final against Chennaiyin FC, leading the team home when it mattered the most. Garcia further spent the 2020-21 season of the ISL with Antonio Lopez’s ATK Mohun Bagan. He played a key role in this campaign as well, helping the Kolkata-based franchise finish second in the ISL, going on to reach the final.
Garcia has made a total of 47 appearances netting 10 goals while providing 12 assists in the league so far. The Spaniard brings valuable experience to the young side under Manolo Marquez. Marquez believes that Garcia’s versatility would help the team.
“Edu (Garcia) is a good player and such players are always important. He has lots of experience of playing in India and will certainly help the youngsters in the squad. He can play in centre midfield, attacking midfield and on the wings too. His versatility will be a huge asset for the squad. I am sure he will be comfortable with the group,” said the Hyderabad FC coach.
Hyderabad FC recently completed the signing of ISL’s third-highest goalscorer Bartholomew Ogbeche. The Nigerian striker is expected to add experience to their attack ahead of the 2021-22 ISL season. The 36-year-old striker won the ISL double of the League Winner’s Shield and the ISL Trophy with Mumbai City last season. He has signed a one-year deal till the end of the 2021-22 campaign.
Born in Nigeria, the striker has three goals in 11 caps for the Super Eagles. Famously, Ogbeche has bagged two caps for Nigeria at the 2002 FIFA World Cup against Argentina and Sweden respectively.
