Bengaluru FC part ways with experienced Spanish defender Juanan Gonzalez

Indian Super League outfit Bengaluru FC are parting ways with Spanish defender Juanan Gonzalez after a long association with the club. The experienced Spaniard is leaving the Indian club after a four-year stint with them.

“Bengaluru FC can confirm that the club has mutually agreed to part ways with Spanish defender Juan Gonzalez. The club would like to put on record its immense gratitude for Juanan’s contributions over the last five seasons. We wish him well for the future,” read their official statement.

The 34-year-old started his career in the youth team of San Pedro before moving out to join RCD Mallorca and CD San Francisco’s junior teams. He made his mark in Deportivo La Coruna’s B team and in the process he made it to the first team. He then moved out to join the Real Madrid reserves in 2009. Juanan has been a journeyman as he has plied his trade for teams like Fortuna Dusseldorf, Hungarian club Ujpest FC and USA-based Rayo OKC. He joined Bengaluru FC in 2016 and has been one of the defensive stalwarts for the Indian club.

The Spaniard played a pivotal role in his very first season at the club as the Blues reached the AFC Cup finals. In his time with the club, Juanan also won the Indian Super League in 2019 and will be an integral part of the history of the club. In his time he has made 71 appearances for the Blues in the Indian Super League and has scored five times. Out of the five goals, he scored twice in the last season which was their worst in terms of standings.

Last season Juanan was ruled out with injury but before that, he made 14 appearances. He was known for his ability to play out from the back and had a passing efficiency of 81% while he registered 16 tackles, 14 interceptions, 46 clearances and 25 blocks.

Bengaluru FC are looking for a revamp in the upcoming season as they have already released foreigners like Kristian Opseth, Fran Gonzalez and Dimas Delgado have already bid their final farewell. New signing Cleiton Silva is expected to stay as Australian midfielder Erik Paartalu may also continue. The Blues have already confirmed the extension of Sunil Chhetri and Suresh Singh Wangjam.

The Blues are desperate to turn things around from last season. Under their new coach, Marco Pezzaiouli they will look to bring in foreign reinforcements and play with renewed vigour and intensity.