Odisha FC have signed former ATK Mohun Bagan midfielder Javi Hernández ahead of the ISL 2021-22 season.
Born in Salamanca, Spain, Javi was part of youth academies at CDF Pizarrales, local club UD Salamanca and at the age of 16, he joined the Real Madrid academy (2005-08).
The midfielder was drafted into the Real Madrid Castilla side in 2008 and went onto make 34 appearances for the club in the Segunda División B – the third tier of the Spanish League system. After three seasons at Real which included a loan spell to Swedish club Halmstads BK, Hernández moved back to his hometown club UD Salamanca (2011-2013) and also spent a season each at Spanish clubs CD Ourense and Burgos CF.
In 2015, Javi moved abroad to play for the Romanian club Poli Timișoara followed by three seasons at Ekstraklasa (Polish League) clubs Górnik Łęczna and KS Cracovia. Hernández in 93 appearances in the Polish league scored 19 goals and assisted 18.
Prior to the 2019-20 ISL season, the now 32-year-old attacking midfielder joined ATK and won the 2019-20 ISL Championship in his first season with the club. He was retained in the squad when ATK Mohun Bagan was formed and in two seasons in the ISL scored three goals and assisted six from 37 matches.
FUN FACT: Javi is the cousin of former Real Madrid player Guti.
Analyst’s Take (Shlok)
Odisha’s acquisition of seasoned foreigners continues with Javi being the latest.
He is a versatile midfielder who can carry the ball, pose a threat from his long shots and also press well.
Javi Hernández, Stats, ISL 2020-21, League Stage
| MATCHES | |
| Total played | 14 |
| Started | 8 |
| Minutes per game | 54 |
| ATTACKING | |
| Goals | 1 |
| Scoring frequency | 759 min |
| Goals per game | 0.1 |
| Shots per game | 1.4 |
| Shots on target per game | 0.4 |
| Big chances missed | 0 |
| PASSING | |
| Assists | 1 |
| Touches | 28.2 |
| Big chances created | 2 |
| Key passes | 0.9 |
| Accurate per game | 9.6 (69%) |
| Acc. own half | 4.1 (84%) |
| Acc. opposition half | 6.6 (56%) |
| Acc. long balls | 0.6 (36%) |
| Acc. chipped passes | 0.4 (29%) |
| Acc. crosses | 1.1 (38%) |
| DEFENDING | |
| Interceptions per game | 0.9 |
| Tackles per game | 0.8 |
| Possession won | 0.3 |
| Dribbled past per game | 0.8 |
| Clearances per game | 0.4 |
| Error led to shot | 0 |
| Error led to goal | 0 |
| Penalty goals conceded | 0 |
| OTHER | |
| Succ. dribbles | 0.6 (43%) |
| Total duels won | 4.3 (49%) |
| Ground duels won | 3.4 (46%) |
| Aerial duels won | 0.9 (65%) |
| Possession lost | 10 |
| Fouls | 1 |
| Was fouled | 1.9 |
| Offsides | 0 |
| CARDS | |
| Yellow | 1 |
| Yellow-Red | 0 |
| Red cards | 0 |
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