Hyderabad FC have brought on-board former Odisha FC striker Aridane Santana on a one-year deal ahead of ISL 7.
A youth product of Deportivo de La Coruña, Aridane represented the ‘B’ side of the club in the fourth division – the Tercera División between the years 2006 and 2009. After Deportivo, Santana represented several clubs in the second and third tier of the Spanish league system. He went onto score 17 goals in 105 appearances in the Segunda División (second tier) and 35 goals in 85 appearances in the Segunda División B (third tier).
The 6 foot 3 inch forward joined Odisha FC last season from Cultural Leonesa and has been a revelation in the ISL with nine goals and two assists coming in 14 matches. An injury cut short his season and he was replaced by loan signing Manuel Onwu who Odisha FC signed permanently for the 2020-21 ISL.
Having recovered from an injury to his left foot, the 33-year-old will be looking to get back in the thick of things with HFC.
I’m very happy to sign for Hyderabad FC. I have known Manolo Marquez from his previous clubs in Spain, and he is definitely one of the top coaches.
I am excited to come down to India and meet up with my new teammates and get ready for the season.
My primary goal is to get to the best conditions personally for the start of the season, and then help the team with a lot of hard work on the field.
It’s going to be a challenging season, and if I can help the team through goals, nothing like it.
Aridane Santana
Aridane will be an important player for us in the season. He is the typical striker – strong, a good header of the ball, holds up possession, someone with a good shot, and a hard worker.
He has shown all these things last season at Odisha and we’ve all seen how important he was for them. The good thing is that he knows Indian football and the ISL, so settling in won’t be a hassle.
His experience in Thailand will also help us, with the League set to take place in Goa, and we’re very excited to have him.
Manuel “Manolo” Márquez Roca, Head Coach, Hyderabad FC
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