FC Pune City signs Spaniard Pitu

A product of La Masia, Barcelona's famous academy, Pitu made his senior debut in the 2005-06 season for the Barcelona B Team.

Pitu last represented UE Llagostera making a total of 145 league appearances since joining it in 2012.

Former FC Barcelona midfielder Josep Maria Comadevall Crous, better known as Pitu will join FC Pune City for the 2016 edition of the Indian Super League (ISL).

A product of La Masia, Barcelona's famous academy, Pitu made his senior debut in the 2005-06 season for the Barcelona B Team. He made his first-team appearance under Frank Rijkaard in the following year against Atletico Bilbao coming on as a substitute. Having played in the Spanish leagues, he last represented UE Llagostera making a total of 145 league appearances since joining it in 2012.

Pitu expressed his exhilaration about joining the ISL. “It’s a new world for me. FC Pune City is lining up an exciting squad with a great mix of experience and youth. Spaniard Antonio Habas is at the helm. I hope my experience will be of great use to the boys in the side,” said the 32-year-old midfielder.

Head coach Habas was thrilled at the prospect too.“Pitu has spent his career playing in the Spanish league with consistent performances, something we were seeking for our midfield. I am looking forward to his meeting up with the rest of the squad so that we can include him in our preparations.”

FC Pune City CEO Gaurav Modwel said Pitu’s experience of playing in Spanish league would be a great plus for the team. “Pitu is a very intelligent midfielder and a great reader of the game. We now have a very talented and a creative organizer in midfield, an offensive player who moves the ball around cleverly and can assist our forwards.”

FC Pune City is co-owned by the Rajesh Wadhawan group and Hrithik Roshan. Founded in 2014, its home ground is the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi, Pune.