Bengaluru signs former ATK Mohun Bagan attacking midfielder Javi Hernandez
Bengaluru has signed attacking midfielder Javi Hernandez to replace the outgoing Cleiton Silva ahead of the 2022-23 Indian Super League season.
The 33-year old attacker is delighted with the move and has signed a two-year deal with the Blues that lasts till the end of the 2023-24 ISL season.
He said,
“I am delighted to join Bengaluru FC. I wanted to stay in the Indian Super League, and for me, Bengaluru FC is one of the best places to be. I’m looking forward to the new season, meeting my new teammates and staff and towards helping the team achieve its objectives.”
The new Blues recruit is aware of the legacy of the club and the lack of success over the last couple of seasons as well as the Spaniard vowed to give his 100% during the upcoming ISL season.
He continued,
“I am aware that over the last two seasons, the club has not been able to reach the levels it aims to. I am motivated to give my best in every training session and every match, to help this team achieve its targets and that is to be among the best in the country. I believe this club and its fans deserve that.”
After starting his career with Real Madrid Castilla, Hernandez moved to Salamanca to get regular minutes on the pitch. Since then, the attacker has played in Poland, Romani, and Azerbaijan before the erstwhile ATK came calling for the Spaniard.
In his debut ISL season, Javi contributed with 5 assists and eventually scored the 2 goals in the final that decided the fate of the season and helped ATK win their third ISL title.
Also read: Bengaluru signs former ATK Mohun Bagan full-back Prabir Das
Javi had a pretty ordinary solitary season with ATK Mohun Bagan as he scored 1 goal and assisted another despite spending more than 1000 minutes on the pitch. Hernandez moved to Odisha ahead of the 2021-22 season and contributed 12 goals, scoring 6, and assisting 6 for the Juggernauts.
BFC Director Parth Jindal praised the midfield magician’s statistics and his capabilities on the ball. Jindal feels that their latest recruit would be an asset for the new manager Simon Grayson and the younger players at the club like Jayesh Rane and Suresh Wangjam.
He said,
“Javi is a player who we have seen over the last few years, and is someone whose statistics speak for themselves. Creativity and keeping the ball are his strengths, add to that his experience, and I have no doubt he will be a role model both on and off the field. I am particularly excited to see him link up with the young talent we have in the squad and help them and the team grow.”