Garcia completes transfer from Bengaluru FC to Chinese side Zhejiang Lucheng

The deal with Chinese second tier side Zhejiang Lǜchéng makes Bengaluru FC the first Indian club to earn a fee from a foreign club for the transfer of a player.

Published : Feb 23, 2018 13:42 IST , Bengaluru

Former Bengaluru FC winger, Edu Garcia.
Former Bengaluru FC winger, Edu Garcia.
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Former Bengaluru FC winger, Edu Garcia.

In what is a landmark deal in Indian football, Bengaluru FC has reached an agreement with Chinese second tier side Zhejiang Lǜchéng for the transfer of Spanish winger Edu Garcia for an undisclosed fee, the club announced on Friday. The deal makes Bengaluru FC the first Indian club to earn a fee from a foreign club for the transfer of a player. Chennaiyin FC got a loan fee from Bangu Atletico, a fourth tier Brazilian side, for midfielder Raphael Augusto, who was on a loan spell before the start of the ongoing ISL season.

The Blues signed Garcia on a season-long deal in September and the former Zaragoza man was an instant hit, scoring the Blues’ first ever goal in the Indian Super League in the 2-0 win over Mumbai City FC at the Kanteerava. The second of his two goals for the club came earlier this month against Goa, once again at the Fortress. Always dangerous with his set-piece deliveries, Garcia also racked up five assists for Albert Roca’s side.

Read: Which teams can join BFC in ISL playoffs?

Lǜchéng, which also goes by the name Zhejiang Greentown, showed interest in Garcia and an agreement with Bengaluru was reached after close to two weeks of negotiations. The formalities were completed on Thursday, five days prior to the closing of the Chinese transfer window on February 28 (the Chinese transfer window is from January 1 to February 28), and Garcia joins the team in Spain where it is on a pre-season tour.

“It was an offer that worked well for the club, Edu and Lǜchéng. It’s also a matter a pride that the deal is a historic one in Indian football and that Bengaluru FC is involved in it. Edu has been fantastic for us in the short time he has spent at the club and we thank him for his contribution while wishing him luck for the future,” said club COO, Mustafa Ghouse.

Coach Albert Roca too thanked the winger for his efforts that have played its part in Bengaluru’s surge to the semifinal of the ISL. “Edu has been a thorough professional during his time at the club and he was presented an opportunity that seemed right to say yes to. His contribution to our season so far has been very valuable and I wish him the best.”

At Lǜchéng, Garcia will team up with Spanish coach Sergi Barjuan for the club which plays at the Yellow Dragon Sports Center in Hangzhou. The League One season kicks off on March 10.

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