Profile: Who is Jonathan Moya, Hyderabad FC's Costa Rican international?

Jonathan Moya to be Hyderabad FC’s spearhead in attack.

On Wednesday, Hyderabad FC made an announcement that they have successfully signed Costa Rican International Jonathan Moya. The 31-year-old striker, who recently completed a two-year period in Korea, will be joining HFC. Moya's signing marks the first addition of a foreign player for the Yellow and Black team as they prepare for the upcoming 2023-24 season.

Let's delve into the striking prowess and impact the forward brings to the team.

Prior experience

Jonathan Moya's football journey began in the youth team of Deportivo Saprisa, where he honed his skills in the second division. He made his breakthrough into the first division while on loan at Santos Guápiles. It was here that he showcased his goal-scoring abilities by netting four goals in 34 matches. Impressing with his performances, Moya secured another loan move, this time to Uruguay de Coronado, where he continued to shine with an impressive run of nine goals in just 17 matches.

Returning to Deportivo Saprisa, Moya's goal-scoring prowess became even more evident as he found the back of the net 24 times in 78 matches. His consistent performances caught the attention of Spanish club S. D. Huesca, leading to a move to the Spanish second division.

From there, Moya embarked on a remarkable journey, plying his trade in Costa Rica, Ukraine, and most recently, South Korea. During this period, he accumulated an impressive tally of 28 goals in 65 matches, showcasing his ability to find the back of the net consistently across different leagues and continents.

Type of player

Jonathan Moya, standing tall at 6.1 ft, is a forward who effectively utilizes his height to his advantage on the field. His towering presence has allowed him to score a significant number of headed goals throughout his career. However, Moya's abilities extend beyond his aerial prowess. He possesses the skill to drop in between the lines of the opposition's defence, enabling him to link up seamlessly with his midfielders.

One of Moya's notable strengths is his ability to make well-timed darting runs behind the defence, capitalizing on opportunities to exploit space and create scoring chances for himself and his team. Moreover, Moya's impact is not only limited to being a goal-scorer alone.

He has shown the willingness to contribute as a creator, constantly seeking out his teammates in better positions to score. This unselfish approach demonstrates his understanding of the game and his desire to maximize the team's attacking potential.

What he brings to the team

Hyderabad FC suffered a significant blow with the departure of influential forward Javier Siverio to East Bengal. Siverio, who scored five goals last season, leaves behind a void that the club hopes Jonathan Moya can fill. Moya's arrival is crucial as Hyderabad FC seek a capable replacement and support for their all-time ISL top-scorer and talisman, Bartholomew Ogbeche (he hasn't been offered a new contract, and is a free agent now, but the possibility of his signing for the Nizams again can't be ruled out).

The challenges for Moya do not end there. Hyderabad FC also bid farewell to Borja Herrera and Halicharan Narzary, who contributed nine goals and assists each last season. The pressure now falls on Moya's shoulders to step up and compensate for the attacking output lost through these departures.

Fortunately, Hyderabad FC have reason to be optimistic. Moya's rich experience of playing in different countries and continents brings a valuable dimension to the team. His exposure to diverse styles of football and the challenges faced in various leagues can prove invaluable to Hyderabad's campaign.

Moya's ability to adapt to different playing environments, combined with his goal-scoring prowess and creative instincts, will be vital in filling the void left by the departing players. Hyderabad FC will rely on his contributions to maintain their attacking threat and grab the necessary goals and assists to drive the team forward.