ISL 2020-21: Mumbai City complete loan move for Hernan Santana

Mumbai City FC have secured the services of Spanish midfielder Hernan Santana on a season-long loan ahead of the seventh edition of the Hero Indian Super League. The 30-year old joins the Islanders from Spanish second division side Real Sporting de Gijon.

Santana, who belongs to Las Palmas in Spain, began his youth career at UD Las Palmas. Subsequently, he moved from the Under-19  team to the B team and then eventually made the cut into the senior team in 2011.

In fact, Santana has experience of playing under the tutelage of current Mumbai City FC coach Sergio Lobera when he played for the club for two seasons between 2012 and 2014.

Santana went on to play 133 matches for Las Palmas over the six seasons with the club, out of which he played three seasons in the LA Liga. After his stint with Las Palmas, Santana made a move to Sporting Gijon in 2018.

He played a total of 31 matches for the club in which he scored two goals and provided as many assists, in the two seasons of the Segunda Division.

Santana revealed that Sergio Lobera played a huge role in his move to Mumbai City FC and he is looking forward to having a good season with the club.

Hernan Santana said, “I’ve known Sergio Lobera from my time in Spain. He is a highly respected coach back home and I had two fantastic years playing under him. He played a major role in bringing me here to Mumbai City, and the vision and the ambitions of the club made the decision even easier for me. The ISL has a huge profile in Spain and in Europe and the steady rise in the quality of the league is for everyone to see.”

Head Coach, Sergio Lobera said, “Hernan is someone I have worked with in the past in Spain. He is a hard worker, on and off the ball and he adds a lot of character and experience into our squad. I spoke to Hernan in our conversations about the things we want to achieve here at Mumbai City and he has been committed to our vision since the very start. I am delighted to have him with us and I am sure our supporters will also enjoy seeing a player of Hernan’s calibre.”

Mumbai City had finished the previous season at the fifth place in the league stage after seven wins from 18 matches and thus had failed to make it to the last four of the tournament. Ergo, Hernan will aim to help his team turn the tables in the coming season.

The ISL 2020-21 season will begin from November 21.