Official: Kerala Blasters sign Juande as replacement for Cido

The 34-year-old will feature for the Yellow Army for the remainder of the 2020-21 season.

Kerala Blasters have announced the signing of Juan De Dios Lopez or simply Juande for the remainder of ISL season 7. The 34-year-old will replace club captain Sergio Cidoncha who has been ruled out for the season with an ankle injury. Born in Alicante, Spain, Juande was part of the Real Betis Academy before getting promoted to their Reserve squad at 19 years of age.

The defensive midfielder made his first team debut that season in a Champions League match but got his chance in the La Liga only in 2007. He made a total of 69 appearances for the club in his 6 - year stint at Real Betis where he found the net 3 times. The hard tackling midfielder spent a short loan spell during the second half of the 2010-11 season and moved to the Belgian League to play for Westerlo for a season, scoring once in his 15 appearances.

“I am very excited to be a part of a great franchise like Kerala Blasters FC, a club which has the best fans in the entire country. I would like to thank the club management for this opportunity and can't wait to be there together with my teammates and the coaching staff to fight it out all-together,” said Juande on signing for the club.

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Following his time at Westerlo, he moved back to Spain to play in the Segunda Division for SD Ponferradina for 2 seasons before spending 4 seasons with Spezia in Serie B. The 2018 season saw Perth Glory from the A-League secure the services of the strong midfielder where he spent 2 seasons before receiving the call from Kerala Blasters FC. Juande is currently undergoing his mandatory quarantine at the team hotel and will start training with the team soon.

“Juande is a very experienced player who will be a good replacement for Cido. He will bring us his experience and maturity. He is a player who can play different roles across the midfield. Though he is joining the squad much later, I hope to see him showcase his leadership skills on the boys,” said Karolis Skinkys, Sporting Director, Kerala Blasters FC.

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