NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) captain Miguel Garcia has signed for Hero I-League team Sporting Clube de Goa. The Portuguese defender is the last foreigner that can possibly be signed by the club as they look to strengthen their backline.Garcia was one of the key members of NEUFC’s defensive set-up that conceded only 13 goals in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL). Of the Highlanders’ 14 matches, he played in 13 forming a daunting partnership with marquee player Joan Capdevila and Indian youngsters Robin Gurung and Aiborlang Khongjee.The former SC Braga man is slowly but surely getting accustomed to the weather in India as he admits that his last club (NEUFC) was situated in a slightly cooler region. “When I first came to the north-east it was very cool, but soon started to warm up after the first month. Goa’s temperature is even hotter, but I will acclimatize,” revealed Miguel.A product of the famed Sporting Clube de Portugal Academy, he spoke about his connection with his first club. “In Portugal it was an honour to play for the Sporting Club of Portugal and similarly I was attracted to the name and Infrastructure of my new club as they promote a Sporting culture in Goa,” he said.Garcia, who started his career as a right back, has established himself has a centre back with his stints with SC Braga, Reggina in Italy, Orduspor in Turkey and Mallorca in Spain. He has also collected a couple of runners-up medals in the UEFA Europa League that sheds light on his quality and experience. The Sporting Clube de Goa centre back will look to make his debut in the Hero I-League against local rivals Dempo SC.All quotes taken from Miguel Garcia’s interview with www.i-league.org
