ISL | FC Pune City sign former Barcelona midfielder
The Rajesh Wadhawan Group and Hrithik Roshan co-owned Indian Super League franchise FC Pune City have secured the signature of former Barcelona midfielder Pitu to bolster their squad for the 2016 edition of the league. The 32-year-old had made his Barcelona debut under Frank Rijkaard in 2006.
FC Pune City CEO Gaurav Modwel said Pitu’s experience of playing in Spanish league would be a great plus for the team. “Pitu is a very intelligent midfielder and a great reader of the game. We now have a very talented and a creative organizer in midfield, an offensive player who moves the ball around intelligently and can assist our forwards.”
A product of La Masia, Pitu made his senior debut in 2005-06 season playing for the Barcelona B Team. He made his first-team appearance under Frank Rijkaard in 2006 against Atletico Bilbao, while coming on as a substitute in the game. Having played in the Spanish leagues, he last represented UE Llagostera, making a total of 145 league appearances since joining them in 2012.
New head coach Antonio Habas was excited at the prospect of having a Spanish player joining his team.“Pitu has spent his career playing in the Spanish league with consistent performances, something that we were looking for our midfield. I am looking forward to him meeting up with the rest of the squad so we can include him in our preparations.”
Pitu has also expressed his excitement at joining the ISL with FC Pune City. “It’s a new world for me. FC Pune City are lining up an exciting squad with a great mix of experience and youth and Spanish man Antonio Habas is at the helm. I hope my experience will be of great use to the boys in the side,” said the Spanish midfielder.
*Report courtesy FC Pune City Media
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