Spanish mid-fielder Lluis Sastre roped in by Hyderabad FC for upcoming ISL

HYDERABAD: Indian Super League side Hyderabad FC on Tuesday confirmed the signing of Spanish mid-fielder Lluis Sastre as they continued to strengthen their squad ahead of the upcoming season.The 34-year-old former La Liga mid-fielder joins from Cypriot side AEK Larnaca and has penned a one-year deal, which will keep him with the team till the end of the 2020-21 season."I am very happy and excited to be able to play for Hyderabad FC in this season of the ISL. I have heard a lot of good things and I am already looking forward to starting training and meeting my teammates and the coach and working towards our goals," said Sastre."I come to HFC with the desire to contribute with my experience and hard work, and help the team and have a good season to achieve good things for all our fans," added Sastre, who has also featured for the Spanish U-19 national team.A product of the famed La Masia academy, Sastre featured for FC Barcelona's youth teams including a two-year stint with FC Barcelona B (2005-07).His impressive performances in the Segunda B saw him being signed by Real Zaragoza, from where he joined SD Huesca on loan initially before making a permanent move after a promotion-clinching season.Sastre spent the next four years in northeast Spain before moving to La Liga side Real Valladolid in 2012.Following a three-year spell with Valladolid, he moved to Leganes (2015-17), helping them to a promotion to La Liga, before achieving the same feat in his second spell with Huesca (2016-19).He made his first overseas move in 2018-19 when he joined Cypriot side AEK Larnaca, helping them to a runner-up finish in his maiden season there.Hyderabad FC head coach Manolo Marquez, who has followed Sastre's career closely, is confident about the qualities the Spaniard will bring in to the squad."He's a central mid-fielder with a lot of quality, and likes to arrive in the rival box too. Technically, he is a fantastic player and has played for FC Barcelona's B team. He has always been an important player in all the teams that he has played for."We expect not just good football from Lluis, but experience and leadership will also be some of the things that he will bring to HFC," said Marquez.