Odisha FC have announced the signings of Spanish midfielder Saúl Crespo and Spanish forward Pedro Martín.
Saúl Crespo Prieto
-25-year-old central midfielder has signed a one-year contract with Odisha FC.
-From the city of Ponferrada in Spain, he was part of SD Ponferradina’s academy for a number of years before transitioning to the senior side in 2016.
-Spent 2015-16 and 2016-17 out on loan to Atletico Astorga and Arandina CF for a season each in the Spanish third tier.
-Following his return to Ponferrada in 2017, the 6’1″ defensive midfielder played the first two seasons with the club in the third tier and the last three seasons in La Liga 2.
-Overall, has featured in 125 matches in the Segunda Division B (third tier) and has made 55 appearances in La Liga 2.
I am so happy to have Saul with us at Odisha FC. Congratulations are in order for the club for getting this deal done.
Saul is a very talented player and he will fit right into our system along with the way we want to play this season. He plays as a 6 and comes to India with a lot of experience and hunger.
Crespo is just 25 and he turns 26 this year. Even though he is very young, Saul has played a lot of games in the Segunda Division A and B.
I think he will be a very important player to us and I am convinced he will give a lot of good moments to the club.
Head Coach Josep Gombau to OFC Media
Pedro José Martín Moreno
-30-year-old centre-forward has signed a one-year contract with Odisha FC.
-From Malaga, Martin spent his formative years at the academies of Malaga CF and Atletico Madrid.
-Transitioned from the youth setup to Atletico Madrid C in 2010 followed by a couple of seasons with Atletico Madrid B. The two teams are the reserve teams of Atletico Madrid who play in the lower divisions in Spain.
-Made one appearance for Atletico Madrid in La Liga against Real Betis in 2012.
-Has turned up for CD Numancia, CD Mirandes and more recently for Gimnàstic Tarragona among others.
-Has spent most of his career in the second and third tier of Spanish football. Overall, the 6’2″ forward has made 344 appearances in club football in which he has scored 71 goals and assisted 15.
-A return of two goals from 29 appearances last season in the Spanish third tier – the Primera Division R.F.E.F.
I think Pedro is a player we are all excited about. He is player who will be crucial in contributing to our attack in the final third.
Martin is someone who enjoys scoring a lot of goals. We have been monitoring him for the past 2 seasons and he is a striker who brings a different set of skills to the table compared to how Diego is in the attack.
Now we have two different type of strikers and I am really happy about it. Depending on the opposition we will have the liberty to choose between both of them.
I welcome him to the Juggernauts and wish him all the best for the season.
Head Coach Josep Gombau to OFC Media
[…] Crespo, born in Ponferrada, had previously played for Spanish clubs such as Ponferradina, Atletico Astorga, and Arandina before venturing into the Hero ISL last year. […]