Hyderabad FC set to sign former ATK Mohun Bagan ace Edu Garcia

The Spaniard was one of the most integral members of the Mariners' squad in the last two years.

Indian Super League outfit Hyderabad FC are set to sign midfielder Edu Garcia, Khel Now can confirm. The Spaniard was part of the ATK Mohun Bagan side that finished runner's up in the previous season.

"ATK Mohun Bagan and Edu Garcia have mutually decided to end the player's existing contract. Hyderabad FC have been in talks to sign him for a while now and both parties are close to a contract agreement. As Edu is a free agent now, Hyderabad FC will try to seal the deal as soon as possible," a source close to the development informed Khel Now.

Khel Now also understands that a number of other ISL outfits are also interested to secure the services of Edu Garcia.

Edu's career so far

Edu Garcia joined the youth division of Spanish outfit Real Zaragoza in 2002 at 12-year-old. He made his debut for the club's B team in the Spanish fourth division during the 2009-10 campaign.

In 2012, Garcia rejected a contract extension from Zaragoza to sign for fourth division club CD Ebro. After staying in the Spanish lower leagues till 2017, Edu Garcia sealed a move to ISL giants Bengaluru FC. He had a decent season with the Blues, scoring two goals and registering five assists in 14 appearances.

Edu Garcia moved away from the ISL in 2018 to join Chinese club Zheijang Energy Greentown. In his 15 appearances in China, he scored three goals. however, his stay there was cut short as erstwhile ISL outfit ATK signed him on December 2018.

In his first short season with the Kolkata club, Edu Garcia scored three goals and provided two assists in six appearances. He replicated his form in the 2019/20 season, when he became one of the mainstays for ATK.

In 16 ISL appearances during the 2019-20 season, Edu Garcia scored six goals and provided three assists. His inspiring form was one of the primary reasons behind ATK's ISL title victory in that season.

This earned him a contract extension till 2022 in the newly formed ATK Mohun Bagan side ahead of the 2020/21 season. However, he failed to replicate his form in the previous campaign, scoring just one goal and failing to register an assist.

Hyderabad FC’s pre-season preparations

The Nizams did well in ISL 2020-21, finishing just outside the play-offs spots at the fifth position. Hyderabad FC were in the play-offs race till the end of their final league stage game, but a draw against FC Goa meant they were eliminated while the Gaurs finished fourth.

Regardless, the club's ISL campaign can be called a success because of how head coach Manolo Marquez achieved positive results with a relatively inexperienced set of domestic players and their overseas signings.

In the forthcoming season, the club are looking to attain more positive results - as evident from their transfer activity so far this summer. They have roped in young forwards Aaren D’Silva and Abdul Rabeeh, while Liston Colaco shifted base to ATK Mohun Bagan.

They are also in talks with former Bengaluru FC defender Juanan Gonzalez as reported by Khel Now earlier.

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