FC Goa’s spending spree in the transfer window ahead of the new Hero Indian Super League (ISL) season is in full swing with the recent arrival of Spanish forward Iker Guarrotxena.

With the likes of Edu Bedia and Alvaro Vazquez, the Spanish contingent of FC Goa, under new head coach Carlos Pena, will be waiting to play a key role in the team ahead of the upcoming Hero ISL season.

The forward was optimistic about the new step in his career in the Hero ISL.

“I have a lot of teammates who have been to India. I checked that Indian football is growing and at 29, it was a good age for me to go to a growing league and be with a team that wants to win something,” Iker told The Times of India.

In what has always been FC Goa’s style of play for many years, the addition of the Spanish forward brings to the fore a supplemental outlet for their attacking brand of football alongside other foreign and Indian attackers.

“The presence of a Spanish contingent helps, but I was in Greece, Poland, and even Australia, where I was by myself,” Iker said on Saturday.

“I know I can do it myself. When you are with good Spanish players, good people among the staff, it creates a good atmosphere to achieve something.”

The 29-year-old led his former club UD Logrones to the Laliga2 playoffs, and finished as the fourth highest scorer in the Spanish third-tier league in the previous season, registering 14 goals and three assists across 37 games.

“I am trying to win titles, trophies. In football, you don’t have too many options to celebrate something. FC Goa was a good option to win something. My goal is to win a title, a trophy.”

The Spaniard was impressed after having a word with FC Goa’s director of football Ravi Puskur and coach Carlos Pena who explained the project and the brand of football that the club embodies.

“The closest place to achieve this ambition is FC Goa. I spoke with Ravi [Puskur] and then the coach. They told me they have the ability to win something. It’s not easy, but they gave me the energy, the vibes that we’ll be close to doing it,” said Iker.                                                 

“When I spoke with Ravi and the coach, I realised that they had plent of information about me. They had seen a lot of my games and the interest was serious. The coach spoke to me and explained how he sees me in the team. There could have been another offer where you are just another player, but here they made me feel good, feel important,” added Iker.

A versatile player who has played in several positions in attack, midfield, and defence, Iker’s switch to an attacking midfielder worked well last season as he netted 14 times with his former club. With Vazquez likely to spearhead FC Goa's attack, Iker would be keen to forge a partnership with him.

“I am a team player and will be ready and available for the coach, wherever he wants me to play. I want to be on the field and help as much as I can. Doesn’t matter which position. I want to play and perform well,” he stated.    

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