ISL 2016 | Atlético de Kolkata rope in Spanish forward Juan Belencoso

Known for his hard working nature and skills, Belencoso is a fan favourite with his clinical finishes and played for Kitchee FC in Hong Kong. Belencoso also played for sides like Albacete Balompié, UB Conquense, CD Lugo and Cádiz CF. From 2002 to 2008, following a brief spell in Portugal, Juan Belencoso competed mainly in Segunda División B, representing in that level Real Jaén, Mérida UD, CE L'Hospitalet and CD Baza. After the announcement of signing dynamic Indian players and retaining seven international recruits including marquee player for this season now the addition of Belencoso will add to the composition and strength of the team.

“On behalf of the team management we welcome Belencoso to Atlético de Kolkata which will help us in further developing the nucleus of the team this year. My association with his style of football goes back to the Kitchee FC days in Hong Kong. He had been one of the most consistent performers and had been nominated as AFC Foreign Player of the Year. With Postiga and now Belencoso I feel the need for the right strikers has been precisely addressed,” José Molina, Head Coach of Atlético de Kolkata, said.

Born in Elche de la Sierra, Albacete, Belencoso started playing as a senior with amateurs Deportivo Rayo Cantabria. From 2002 to 2008, following a brief spell in Portugal, he competed mainly in Segunda División B, representing in that level Real Jaén, Mérida UD, CE L'Hospitalet and CD Baza. Belencoso reached Segunda División for the first time in the 2008–09 seasons, signing with local Castile-La Mancha club Albacete Balompié. He made his debut in the competition on 31 August 2008, coming in as a late substitute in a 2–1 home win against Sevilla Atlético, but only scored twice in the league over the course of two full seasons.

Belencoso returned to division three for the following years, playing with UB Conquense, CD Lugo and Cádiz CF. He achieved promotion with the second team after scoring 14 goals, three in the playoffs. On 9 July 2013, Belencoso became coach Àlex Gómez's first foreign signing of the new campaign as he joined Kitchee SC in Hong Kong. He became a regular scorer for Kitchee and fired them to the domestic treble last season including two goals in the FA Cup final against Eastern. In terms of continental football, in the AFC Cup 2014, his eleven goals helped propel Kitchee to the semi-final stage where they eventually succumbed. Belencoso models his style of football on Robert Lewandowski.

*Report courtesy Atletico de Kolkata media