ISL Transfer Watch: FC Goa sign Alvaro Vazquez from Kerala Blasters on a two-year deal

The
deal
will
see
the
Spaniard
donning
Orange
jersey
till
the
summer
of
2024.

In
the
ISL
2021-22
season,
the
striker
had
finished
with
eight
goals
and
two
assists
to
his
name
as
he
propelled
Blasters
to
their
first
final
appearance
since
2016.

“I’m
extremely
happy
to
join
FC
Goa,”
Vazquez
told

fcgoa.in
after
signing
on
the
dotted
line.

“The
club
has
an
ambitious
project
and
a
playing
style
that
I
love.
Having
spoken
to
the
club
officials
and
Edu
(Bedia),
I
was
convinced
that
I
can
be
the
best
version
of
myself
here.

“For
me,
Goa
is
one
of
the
biggest
clubs
in
ISL.
Last
season
might
not
have
been
the
best
for
the
club,
but
I
believe
we
will
surely
move
back
to
the
top
this
coming
season.
I’ve
heard
and
seen
the
fans
of
Goa,
who
love
football.
I
want
to
experience
playing
at
Fatorda.
Honestly,
I
can’t
wait
to
play
my
first
game
in
the
club’s
colours.”.

FC
Goa
Director
of
Football,
Ravi
Puskur
also
expressed
his
delight
on
the
striker’s
arrival.
He
stated,
“We’re
delighted
to
secure
the
services
of
Alvaro.
He’s
someone
we’ve
always
kept
an
eye
on
long
before
his
arrival
into
Indian
football
and
given
he’s
already
adapted
to
India,
we
moved
quickly
this
summer
to
secure
his
services
when
the
opportunity
arose.”

Born
in
Barcelona,
Vazquez
spent
the
major
part
of
his
football
career
in
Spain.
And
with
Vazquez
now
playing
in
a
scheme
that
has
the
potential
to
eke
out
the
best
in
him,
he
could
be
on
for
an
even
better
season
than
last
time
around.

The
31-year-old
took
his
baby
steps
into
the
sport
at
LaLiga
club
RCD
Espanyol’s
youth
team.
He
then
rose
through
the
ranks
and
eventually
earned
a
promotion
to
their
first
team
in
2010.
In
the
same
season,
he
also
made
his
debut
in
the
Spanish
top-flight,
against
Real
Madrid
and
scored
a
goal
against
Barcelona
to
deny
them
a
victory.

Two
years
later,
the
striker
shifted
base
to
Getafe
where
he
remained
for
four
seasons.
During
this
period,
Vazquez
also
got
his
first
taste
of
Premier
League
action
when
he
was
loaned
off
to
Swansea
City
on
a
short-term
deal.

In
2016,
the
Spaniard
returned
to
Espanyol
where
he
remained
till
2019.
His
other
former
clubs
include
Gimnastic
de
Tarragona,
Real
Zaragoza
and
Sporting
de
Gijon
in
the
Segunda
Division.

A
former
Spain
junior
international,
Vazquez
emerged
top-scorer
at
the
FIFA
Under-20
World
Cup
in
2011
before
becoming
a
part
of
the
side
that
won
the
UEFA
U-21
EURO
in
2013.

Across
his
17-year-long
footballing
career
till
date,
Vazquez
has
scored
80
goals
along
with
providing
19
assists
in
344
competitive
appearances
for
both
club
and
country.

Some
of
the
notable
coaches
that
he
has
played
under
include
Mauricio
Pochettino,
Michel
Laudrup
and
Quique
Sanchez
Flores.

Though
FC
Goa
could
not
make
it
to
the
ISL
play-offs
this
time,
the
Gaurs
ended
the
season
on
a
positive
note
showing
glimpses
of
what
the
team
can
really
do
on
a
good
day
and
Vazquez’ signing
will
give
them
an
attacking
option
upfront.