Hero Indian Super League’s (Hero ISL) inaugural Shield Winners FC Goa announced the arrival of Spanish winger Jorge Ortiz Mendoza as one of their foreign acquisitions for the 2020-21 season. The 28-year-old wideman hopes to play an integral role in the future of FC Goa and believes that ‘the best days for the club’ lie ahead of them.

“I wanted to have new challenges at this stage of my career while the club is also looking at the long term and looking to bring in foreigners who are at this stage of their careers. I believe the best days for both the club and me lie ahead, hopefully together,” Ortiz said in an interview with The Bridge.

His decision to move to Goa was made easier after speaking with his new teammate Edu Bedia as well as former Gaurs defender Carlos Pena. “It was not a really hard sell. I share a great relationship with Edu (Bedia) and have played with Carlos (Pena) as well. I know other players from Spain who played in the league. And everyone had nothing but good things to say about the club and the league,” Ortiz shared.

READ: Jorge Ortiz: Goa’s brand of football fits me like a glove

With the Gaurs renowned for playing an attacking brand of football, Ortiz feels that his style of play will perfectly complement that of Goa’s. “I am a player who likes to attack and that goes with the philosophy of the club. Additionally, I am arriving (to play for Goa) at the peak, at the age of 28,” Ortiz said.

“I think I bring a lot of directness to the team. I like to use my pace and my ability to dribble to create chances for the team. The club’s philosophy of passing the ball and always being on the lookout to attack really suits me,” he added.

While sharing his thoughts on the season being played in Goa behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ortiz said, “It’s going to be different for everyone involved; a tough one. What I really do believe in is that the team is more important above all. Football is a collective sport and everything is fine as long as the team wins. I hope to do whatever is asked of me in the coming season,” the Spaniard explained.