Bengaluru FC have announced the signing of Spanish winger Francisco Hernandez Marcos on a one-year deal. The winger, who turns 29 this month, is the second foreign signing of the Super Cup champions ahead of the 2018-19 season and sixth foreigner overall.
Bengaluru had retained Juanan, Dimas Delgado, Erik Paartalu and Miku from last season. Ten days ago, they confirmed the arrival of Bhutanese star Chencho Gyeltshen from I-League champions Minerva Punjab.
Francisco Hernandez or Xisco, as he is popularly known, started his professional career with RCD Mallorca’s reserve side in 2010. Since then, he has played for eight different Spanish clubs before making the move to India. His last employers were Spanish third-tier club Atletico Baleares. Predominantly a winger, Xisco is also capable of playing as a second striker.
After completing the move, the Spaniard said, “I’m very grateful for this opportunity of playing for Bengaluru FC. They are a big team in the region and I’m eager and excited to come to India. At the same time, I realise that the responsibility of playing for one of the best teams in the country is huge. It’s going to be a challenge for me, but I'm very happy to belong to the Blue family now and I will be giving my very best.”
The Blues who missed the Indian Super League (ISL) title by a whisker last season are leaving no stones unturned ahead of the new season. They have also qualified for the knockouts of the AFC Cup 2018.
Bengaluru will face Turkmenistan’s FC Altyn Asyr in the Inter-zone semifinals on August 22 and 29.
