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Current ISL table-toppers and last season's runners-up, Bengaluru FC, today announced the signing of Spanish attacking midfielder Luisma Villa, on a short-term deal that will run until the end of the season.
The Blues, who loaned their Bhutanese forward Chencho Gyeltshen out to NEROCA FC, have turned their attention to the 29-year-old Spaniard, who will be the fifth player from that country in Carles Cuadrat's squad.
A former Racing Santander player, Luisma has made three appearances in LaLiga, the Spanish top-tier. Either side of a spell in the English Conference division, with Barnet, Luisma has been playing in the Segunda Division B in Spain, which is the fourth tier of Spanish football.
After being released by Racing in 2010, Luisma plied his trade in the lower division in Spain, narrowly missing out on promotion from Segunda Division B with Real Union and SD Amorebieta, both of whom fell short in the promotion playoffs.
In his second season at Barnet, in 2014-15, he was the team's second-highest goal-scorer, and helped them win promotion to League Two, the fourth tier of English football.
He was a fan favourite at Barnet, with his departure being met with mixed responses from The Bees' fans. He made clear his intention to move back to his homeland when he left Barnet, though.
Even in the current transfer window in England, there has been a clamour from fans of Barnet to bring the Spaniard back to the club.
Since his departure from Barnet in 2015, Luisma has played for Arenas Club de Getxo, in the Basque region of Spain, where he made 81 appearances, before moving to Ponferradina after a three-year spell.
He didn't fare too well at his most recent club, leaving Ponferradina in December 2018, before putting pen to paper on a deal that brings him to India's Garden City.
Speaking to Bengaluru FC's official site, the Spaniard said, "“I am very happy to have signed for Bengaluru FC, and I can’t wait to start playing for the club. I’m eager to meet my new teammates and to play my part in the rest of the season. I know that BFC is a club that wins trophies and I want to help them do that."
Luisma will don the no.9 jersey for the Blues.
Cuadrat expressed his delight at the signing of Luisma. “We are very happy to bring Luisma into the squad. Going into a crucial part of the season, where we are fighting for the playoff spots, we felt it was important to have a player who can fit into our style of play and bring some fresh air to the squad. Luisma can also improve our numbers from set pieces because of his ability to shoot and cross from dead ball situations.”
With Miku still not fit enough to play after the injury he picked up in November, and Xisco Hernandez being largely underwhelming, Luisma will have a big role to play for Bengaluru, who have all but confirmed their spot in the ISL playoffs.
As the tournament reaches its business end, Cuadrat will hope that his compatriot can make a big difference to his new team. Luisma will be available for selection for the Blues' next game, which is on 6th February, against the Kerala Blasters at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium.
