ISL: Where could Alvaro Vazquez be heading to?

The 31-year-old had a fruitful 2021-22 Indian super League season, scoring 8 goals and providing 2 assists in 23 appearances for Kerala Blasters FC.

Alvaro Vazquez scored 8 ISL goals in 23 appearances for Kerala Blasters FC; Credit: Twitter/@kbfcextra
By Sreejith C R | Jun 1, 2022 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Spanish striker Alvaro Vazquez has left Kerala Blasters FC after one season at the Indian Super League (ISL) club, the Kerala outfit announced on Tuesday. The 31-year-old had a brilliant debut season in India, playing a pivotal role in KBFC’s run to the final of the 2021-22 ISL campaign, where they eventually lost to Hyderabad FC on penalties. The Spaniard was the team’s joint-top goal-scorer with eight goals and he also registered two assists. He made 23 appearances for Ivan Vukomanovic’s side and formed a potent strike partnership with Jorge Pereyera Diaz. 

Vazquez will wear the orange jersey in the 2022-23 ISL season

According to reliable sports journalist Marcus Mergulhao, ISL outfit FC Goa have signed the Spaniard for the upcoming season.  Despite interests from clubs in China, Major League Soccer (MLS) and various ISL side’s, the 31-year-old decided to move to Goa as he agreed terms with them at the first opportunity. Meanwhile ATK Mohun Bagan were also interested in the forward as they are also in search of a quality strike-partner for Roy Krishna after the departure of David Williams. Meanwhile as things stand now, Vazquez will wear the orange jersey in the 2022-23 ISL season starting in October. 

Read more: Khalid Jamil appointed as FC Bengaluru United head coach

Vazquez made his senior debut against Real Madrid

He was born in Barcelona, Catalonia and then signed for RCD Espanyol’s youth system in 2005 at the age of 14. Vazquez made his senior team debut for Espanyol against Real Madrid in September 2010. From the Barcelona-based club, he then moved to Getafe, playing five years in the La Liga. In 2013, when Getafe were relegated, he was loaned out to England, where he played for Swansea City. He had a disappointing season in the Premier League, which saw him making just 12 Premier League appearances. He then returned to Getafe for two seasons before rejoining boyhood club Espanyol. 

Vazquez joined Kerala Blasters in 2021

At Espanyol, Vazquez was loaned to two Segunda Division sides Gimnastic and Zaragoza. He netted 10 times for Zaragoza before Sporting Gijon signed the forward for free. But the striker failed to get going at Gijon and was loaned out to Sabadell earlier this year. And then, in 2021, Blasters signed the striker for one season. Vazquez lit up the league with his stunning goals and flamboyant style of play. The Spaniard’s goal from the half-way mark against NorthEast United FC was one of the best ever in the history of ISL. 

Kerala Blasters haven’t made any new signing for the upcoming season so far but now they will have to search for Vazquez’s replacement. The Kochi outfit have a big void to fill ahead of the 2022-23 ISL season. Meanwhile KBFC has managed to keep hold of their corer group of players, having extended the contracts of Marko Leskovic, Prabhsukhan Gill, Bijoy Varghese, Jeakson Singh among others. Star foreigner Adrian Luna has one more year left in his deal. 





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