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Mumbai, 13th July 2015: In an effort to build a formidable outfit, Mumbai City FC has announced the signing of Spain’s Juan Aguilera Núñez and Darren O'dea of Republic of Ireland for the Indian Super League (ISL) season 2. With the signing of the duo, Mumbai City FC will prove to be a formidable side.
Darren O’dea, an experienced Irish centre-back is signed on by Mumbai City FC to bolster their defense. O'Dea has represented Ireland at under-21 and senior level, earning 20 caps since his 2009 debut.
He started his career with Celtic in the 2006–07 season. Since then, he has won the Scottish Premier League twice, Scottish Cup, and the Scottish League Cup. He moved to Reading on a six-month loan for the first-half of the 2009-10 season, but returned to Celtic as the temporary captain of the club for the rest of the season.
He was loaned to Ipswich Town and Leeds United for the 2010–11 and 2011-12 season respectively. He has also played with Toronto FC from 2012 to 2013. O'Dea spent the 2013–14 season with FC Metalurh Donetsk.
Known to be a strong defender and acknowledged for his fantastic aerial duels, the 28-year-old will be the backbone of the Mumbai squad’s defense strategy. He has been brought into the club to be a leader, address defensive concerns from last season and have a positive influence in the dressing room.
Juan Aguilera Núñez, a central midfielder is a Spanish professional footballer who played for Greek Club Platanias F.C. from 2012 to 2015 with 82 appearances and scoring 2 goals.
His career began with amateurs Getafe CF B and CDA Navalcarnero, and then played three years in Segunda División B for another club in the Community of Madrid, CD Leganés.
In 2008 he was transferred to Real Murcia, and made his debut with the first team in 2010, against Elche CF. He is a box to box player who is very sharp on the pitch. He is a team player and Mumbai City FC will expect him to be a key player in linking the defense, midfield and attack.
On joining the team and being a part of ISL, Darren O’Dea said:
“It will be a new experience, a new chapter, I've spoken to players who played in the ISL last year and it was fantastic. It is another experience and something I'm looking forward to getting started here, I am going to give my 100% to ensure the team has a successful campaign in the second season of the ISL. India is a fascinating country and I would like to learn more about the footballing environment in the country”.
On joining Mumbai City FC, Juan Aguilera Núñez said:
“The ISL has become extremely popular back in Spain and there was a lot of buzz in the football world about Anelka joining Mumbai City FC in the inaugural season of the ISL last year. I am really pleased to have joined Mumbai City FC and I am looking forward to a new experience to play in India and for Mumbai, I believe that the club set up is thoroughly professional and welcoming and I am excited to make an impact”.
The Nicolas Anelka coached side including India’s record goalscorer Sunil Chhetri will start their campaign against FC Pune City on 5th October, 2015.
