PANAJI
FC Goa is delighted to announce the signing of Armando Sadiku for the upcoming 2024-25 season. The 33-year-old Albanian is the Club’s third new foreign signing of the summer, following the arrivals of midfielders Iker Guarrotxena and Dejan Dražić.
Sadiku expressed his excitement about joining FC Goa, saying, “I am thrilled to join FC Goa, a team I consider to be among the best in India. I have heard only good things about the Club and the place from everyone I’ve spoken to.
“Having played against Goa last season, I experienced firsthand the quality and strong defensive organization of the team. After speaking with Coach Manolo and CEO Ravi Puskur and understanding their plans for the season, I was fully convinced. I know Coach Manolo from his time at UD Las Palmas in Spain, and I believe his mentality will greatly benefit me this season.
“My goal is to contribute in every possible way to help the team win all the trophies we are competing for and to score more goals than I did in my first season in India,” he added.
Head Coach Manolo Marquez is equally enthusiastic about the signing, stating, “Armando is an experienced striker with a remarkable track record in various countries. He has represented the Albanian National Team and possesses great physical strength, a powerful shot, high mobility and a competitive spirit. These qualities will significantly strengthen our squad.”
In June 2023, he made his debut in Indian football with Mohun Bagan Super Giant, scoring his first goal for the team in the AFC Cup playoff round and netting the winner in the Durand Cup 2023 semi-final against his new team, FC Goa.
He finished the 2023-24 season with 11 goals and an assist in 35 matches, winning the Durand Cup and the Indian Super League (ISL) Shield with the Mariners.
On the international stage, Armando Sadiku has represented Albania at various levels, scoring his first senior international goal in the FIFA World Cup 2014 Qualifiers. He was instrumental in securing Albania’s place in UEFA Euro 2016, where he scored against Romania, leading his team to a historic 1-0 win - their first in a major football competition. Overall, the 33-year-old has played nearly 500 matches for club and country, scoring over 175 goals and providing 30 assists.
