Goa signs experienced Spanish striker Carlos Martinez
Goa has signed experienced Spanish striker Carlos Martinez to replace the outgoing Ixer Guarrotxena ahead of the 2023-24 Indian Super League season.
The 37-year old has put pen to paper on a one-year contract keeping him at the club till the end of the 2023-24 season.
He said,
“I’ve followed FC Goa for a while now, and I’m aware of their achievements in Indian football. To be one of the most successful teams in the league, while following a style of play that I’m quite familiar with, made it easy to form an association with the club.”
The former Badalona B and Villareal B striker further talked about how the attacking style of play adopted by the club in recent years helped him to make the move to India.
Martinez continued,
“The attacking style of play and the fighting spirit that the team has consistently shown over the years excites me, and I’m eager to arrive in Goa soon and join up with my teammates. We’ll challenge together for all the trophies, and I want to make the fans of this team proud.”
After coming through the Mataro and the famed Barcelona Academy, Martinez made his senior debut for Badalona B. After playing for sides like Rubi and Gramenet, the forward was signed by Terrassa where he scored 34 goals in 71 appearances earning a move to Olot
With Olot, Martinez scored 52 goals in 114 appearances which attracted the attention of Villareal and the striker signed for the reserves team of the La Liga club. He spent two seasons with them and ended up scoring 35 goals in 74 league appearances
After a relatively unsuccessful spell with Tokyo Verdy in the 2017-18 season, Martinez returned to Spain and delivered his usual goal returns for Hercules and Andorra staying two and three seasons with the clubs respectively.
Goa director of football Ravi Puskur talked glowingly about landing the signature of a player with a keen eye for goal.
He said,
“Carlos is a striker who comes with a proven pedigree for goalscoring. He’s a striker who likes to link up with his teammates to fashion chances and connect the play, but his primary skills are his ability to find the back of the net. His aerial prowess will also add another dimension to our attack and his all-round game will make him a very useful asset to the team.”
Mr. Puskur further talked about how the experience of their latest signing will help in grooming the young players at the club as well.
He concluded,
“Off the pitch as well, Carlos is a great motivator and leadership comes naturally to him and we expect him to lend that experience to the team and those around him. We’re excited by his presence in the dressing room and look forward to having him with us.”
Martinez is the seventh signing for the Gaurs ahead of a crucial season and the goalscorer would be crucial in replacing Guarroxtena who was released by the club on Friday by mutual termination of the player’s contract.