The 33-year-old from Valencia started his youth career with Levante before making his senior debut for their reserve team and eventually played for the first team in 2009.
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Indian Super League (ISL) franchise Odisha FC have announced the signing of Spanish centre-back Hector Rodas ahead of the eighth season of the popular football tournament. The 33-year-old from Valencia started his youth career with Levante before making his senior debut for their reserve team and eventually played for the first team in 2009. He has also played for numerous Spanish teams like Elche, Betis, Cordoba, Cultural Leonesa, Alcorcon. Rodas’ first stint at a foreign club came in 2017 when he joined Belgian club Cercle Brugge.
“I am extremely happy to join Odisha FC. Am looking forward to meeting my teammates and the coaches and also reaching India for the ISL. I want to achieve good things at OFC and we all will work towards one common goal. Come on Odisha!,” said the footballer after formalities were sorted out.
Coach Kiko Ramirez believes Rodas will provide some defensive balance needed to improve the team’s tactical game.
“Hector is going to give us the defensive balance that we need to improve the tactical game of the team. He is an experienced player who played in the first division in Spain and knows how to command the defensive line. He is also an aggressive player in defending and can help us in taking good decisions during the game for the build up. Rodas is a winner in a duel with the ball in the air and he will give us power in set pieces both in attack and in defense,” said Ramirez.
Club President Raj Athwal expressed his happiness after the defender signed for the club.
“We are very pleased to have captured the signature of Hector Rodas. Having played at the highest level in Europe we are looking forward to seeing him show his great qualities in an Odisha shirt,” he said.
Odisha FC recently announced the signing of Spanish attacking midfielder Javi Hernandez. The Spaniard made his senior debut for Real Madrid B, following a youth career at CDF Pizarrales, Salamanca and Real Madrid. Hernandez joined Romanian professional club ACS Poli Timisoara after this. The footballer further went on to play professional football in Poland and Azerbaijan before signing for ATK in 2019. Hernandez was retained by the newly-formed ATK Mohun Bagan in 2020, following a victorious campaign.
“I am really excited to join Odisha FC and very happy to continue playing in India. Am looking forward to meeting my teammates and we will definitely work hard and play well to make sure that we have a wonderful season ahead. I want to make the Odisha FC fans proud,” said the footballer after signing a deal with the Odisha-based franchise.
Head coach Kiko Ramirez termed Hernandez as a great addition to the squad.
“Javi is a great addition to the squad, he is going to give us work in the midfield, and balance to the team. The most important thing is that even playing in midfield, he is a player who can score goals due to his physical capabilities and his good technique. He is a good player to play different styles of football, and he has a very good shot. From set-pieces, he is a great kicker, both for direct scoring and for strategy plays. He is loved in the teams where he has been for his work ethic, for his enthusiasm, and for his character,” he stated.
Club president Raj Athwal welcomed Hernandez to the franchise, hailing him as another highly-rated player.
“We are delighted to welcome Javi Hernandez to the Odisha family. In Javi, we have added another highly-rated player, who has experience of winning the ISL, to our squad,” he said.
