Hyderabad FC’s new signing, Edu Garcia has revealed that head coach Manuel Marquez had an important role in his joining the club from 2020-21 Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) finalists ATK Mohun Bagan.

“I am excited and really happy to have signed for Hyderabad FC. Last season I watched them play and I really loved their style. I should say Manolo [Manuel] Marquez had a very important role in my decision of joining the club,” he told Hyderabad FC’s official website.

Garcia moved out of Spain for the first time as a professional footballer when he joined Bengaluru FC ahead of the 2017-18 season. He was a runner-up with the Blues that season. Later – after a stint in China -- he joined ATK FC during the 2018/19 transfer window and went on to help them win the prestigious trophy next season. The 31-year-old attacking midfielder highlights the importance of experience that he brings to the Telangana-based club. “I believe that it is always important to have players with experience in your side. Especially for young players, in important games. It is crucial to have players guiding you in tough situations and that will only come with experience,” he said.

Garcia has now played enough in the country to be considered an authority on football in India and he thinks things are looking up. “The quality of football in Spain is still higher. China is investing a lot of money in making their league stronger and competitive. But Indian football has also been doing a lot of good things.

“Since I have been here, I have seen that the young players are more and more competitive and more prepared. The sport in the country is growing by the day, but in my opinion, the work done on academies is the most important and that is what will shape the future of Indian football,” he said.

“As I said, football is growing by the day in India. Players are more competitive, understand the game better and make fewer mistakes. Each year, the level is getting higher and this year it will be more evident with just four foreigners allowed to take the field.”

Garcia insisted it’s not easy to make the transition when one moves from one country to another. “It is not too easy. I have seen very good players in Spain struggle to make their mark in countries like China and India. I think, in each country, you need to know how they understand football and adapt your game to perform well,” he said.

The Spaniard, who has 12 goals and 10 assists to speak of in his 47 Hero ISL appearances so far, also reminisced about his favourite moments in the league to date. “So far, I have two moments that I will cherish. The first one was scoring my first goal in the Hero ISL for Bengaluru. The second one, obviously, was winning the Hero ISL trophy with ATK FC and of course, scoring in that final,” he said.