ISL 2017: FC Goa sign former Brighton striker Adrian Colunga
What's the story?
FC Goa have announced their eighth and final foreign signing for the 2017-18 Indian Super League in Spanish striker Adrian Colunga. The 32-year-old joins on a free transfer on a one-year deal.
A statement on the club's official website confirmed the transfer: "The club have moved quickly to sign Adrian Colunga as the second striking option for the club. With over 14 years of experience in the top divisions of Europe, Colunga is expected to give Coro tough competition for the starting striker spot at the club."
In case you didn't know...
Colunga is the sixth Spaniard to be roped in by the Gaurs this season, following the likes of Edu Bedia, Arana, Coro, Chechi and Manuel Lanzarote into the club.
The striker has scored 60 goals in all competitions throughout his career and is of the hard working kind. He last played for Anorthosis Famagusta in the Cyprus First Division. He also had a spell with current Premier League outfit Brighton and Hove Albion in the 2014-15 season.
The heart of the matter
FC Goa's statement also read: "With nimble feet and a hard worker off the ball, the Asturian should suit Lobera’s style of play and will be relied upon to share the bulk of the goal scoring burden along with Coro."
The club have now completed their quota of eight foreign signings and new head coach Sergio Lobera is all set to kick start his team's preparations for ISL-4. FC Goa finished bottom of the pile last time out, hence Lobera will face the unenviable task of bringing the club back on track.
FC Goa finished as the runners-up in the 2015 ISL, but their slump last season led to club's parting of ways with Zico. With Colunga alongside Coro in attack, Lobera has brought in some familiar names to what will be his first season in Indian football.
What's next?
The new ISL season kicks off on 17th November and FC Goa will for their preseason camp in Spain a month before the league starts. Having roped in a number of Spaniards to go with their Spanish coach, FC Goa have a distinct Iberian flavour and Lobera is looking to maximise it by conducting the preseason training in Spain.
Author's take
Colunga's goals-per-game ratio is below par for someone who plies his trade as a centre-forward. However, he has bags of experience having played in La Liga and the English Championship. His partnership with Coro in the FC Goa attack will be one of the things to watch this season, but whether he turns out to be as good as someone like Diego Forlan remains to be seen.