On a rebuilding mode after a disastrous seventh season of Indian Super League (ISL), Odisha FC on Friday secured the services of experienced campaigner Javi Hernandez ahead of the upcoming edition.
The attacking midfielder, a free agent after ATK Mohun Bagan released him last month, joined the Bhubaneswar-based side on a season-long deal which will keep him with the Kalinga Warriors till the end of 2021-22 season.
After Victor Mongil, a former ATK defender and fellow Spaniard, Hernandez becomes the second foreign signing of Odisha FC under the stewardship of new head coach Francisco ‘Kiko’ Ramirez, who joined the purple brigade about 10 days ago.
Hernandez’s inclusion is likely to give Odisha the much-needed stability in that pivotal central midfield position where the club was found lacking last season. The Spanish player’s experience of winning the league with ATK in his debut season (2019-20) and then playing the 2020-21 final for ATK Mohun Bagan could prove to be handy for the Juggernauts, aiming for a turnaround this season
In two impactful seasons with the Kolkata giants, Hernandez scored a brace against Chennaiyin FC in the 2019-20 final and also netted one against debutants SC East Bengal in the return derby last season.
After joining Odisha in his third season in India, the Salamanca-born midfielder said, “I am really excited to join Odisha FC and very happy to continue playing in India. I 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.”
After roping in a player of Javi’s calibre, Ramirez expressed, “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.”
