Star striker Pedro Manzi leaves Chennai City FC for Japan

The Spaniard won the I-League Golden Boot as he guided his team to the title last season.

In what comes as surprising news for Indian football fans, Pedro Manzi Cruz and Chennai City FC have decided to part ways in between the I-League season. Chennai City are the holders of the League title after Akbar Nawas’ side beat the odds and lifted the trophy last season. [KH_ADWORDS type="3" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS] Pedro Manzi and Nestor Gordillo were among the consistent goalscorers and the mainstays of the team, but Gordillo switched clubs to the erstwhile FC Pune City in a controversial manner, because of which he got himself banned for eight games. [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/B60u7AsI2Oe/[/embed] However, Pedro Manzi agreed to stay with the Coimbatore outfit and signed a four-year contract at the start of the campaign. But, now it looks like the Spaniard will move out of India and reportedly to Sagan Tosu in the Japanese First Division, the J-League. Late on Thursday, Pedro Manzi thanked Chennai City FC through an Instagram post, for shaping his career and giving him the chance to prove himself. However, he didn’t reveal his next destination, but did mention Japan in the post. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75BqlG2bn08[/embed] The forward scored some scintillating goals for the league champions Interestingly, Sagan Tosu is also the club where Spanish icon and former Liverpool and Chelsea star Fernando Torres spent his last days as a professional player. Sagan Tosu also had to fight a relegation battle to maintain their status in the top league. [KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News | ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS] The move is a major setback for Chennai City, as they find themselves in eigth position in the league table, with just five points in as many games. Chennai City are also set to start their continental outing on 14th January at the EKA Arena in Ahmedabad against Bahrainian club Al Riffa in the Asian Champions League First Round Qualifiers. Akbar Nawas and the team now face the mammoth task of guiding the team for the rest of the campaign domestically and on the continent.