FC Pune City have signed ex-Valencia B team player Anibal Zurdo. The Spaniard will reunite with coach Antonio Habas who recognised the striker’s abilities way back in 2005 at Valencia.
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Zurdo has played for a vast number of football clubs in his career after emerging from the Atletico Madrid academy. The 33-year-old has made over 200 appearances professionally for over 10 clubs and brings with him a wealth of experience albeit not at the highest level.
Anibal’s best seasons were between 2010 and 2014 when he was playing for Guadalajara and Sabadell. After scoring 48 goals in over 140 appearances, Zurdo was loaned out to various clubs, the latest being Spanish second division side Gimnastic for whom he has managed 2 goals in 15 appearances.
Zurdo is expected to be a key signing for Pune. His strength, coupled with his ability to hold up the ball and link with his wingers is something Pune lacked severely in last year’s ISL. With just 17 goals, the Maharashtra-based club scored the second least number of goals in the league and will be looking to improve on that aspect this year.
Along with Zurdo, the club have also secured the services of Delhi Dynamos winger Francis Fernandes. Fernandes has played internationally for India and will provide backup striking options as well as offer width to the side.
Pune have also managed to rope in Chennaiyin goalkeeper Edel Bete. They have also made an attempt to bring back former Juventus star Adrian Mutu. Mutu was Pune’s marquee signing in the second edition. With such a star-studded lineup, Pune City would definitely be contenders for the coveted ISL title.
Pune had an extremely disappointing 2015/16 ISL after failing to make the playoffs. The team that is co-owned by Hrithik Roshan has since hired Spain’s Habas in an attempt to get their act together. The squad are currently in Spain, home of manager Habas for their pre-season training camp.
The third edition of the blockbuster tournament kicks off in just a couple of months.
