PANAJI
FC Goa on Thursday announced the arrival of Spanish attacking midfielder Victor Rodriguez as the fourth new foreign signing for the Gaurs this summer.
The 33-year-old has put pen to paper on a one-year contract with the club, which will see him don the orange shirt for the entirety of the upcoming 2023-24 season.
Rodriguez follows the footsteps of Odei Onaindia, who has also joined the Men in Orange after a previous stint in Indian football. The midfielder joined Odisha FC ahead of last season, and lifted the Super Cup with the Juggernauts before shifting base to Goa.
“I’m excited about what’s in store here at FC Goa. I’ve only heard good things about the club and the structure that they follow, and I’m looking to continue enjoying playing football in a nice atmosphere,” Rodriguez said after signing on the dotted line.
“I can't wait to start working with Manolo Marquez, our coach. We’ve worked together before, and I know all about his contributions to football in India and Spain. I hope I can return that trust that he has in me,” the footballer added.
Known for his technical prowess and creative flair on the field, Rodriguez brings a wealth of experience and skill to FC Goa's midfield. The 33-year-old has made over 350 club appearances, 143 of which happened in La Liga alone with Real Zaragoza, Elche CF, Getafe CF and Sporting de Gijón.
A native of Barcelona, Rodriguez joined La Masia, FC Barcelona’s academy in 2001 and shared the dressing room with the likes of Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique and Cesc Fabregas among others. He rose through the ranks at Barca and eventually played for their U19 side, which was then followed by stints at Badalona CF under Manolo Marquez and UE Vilajuïga.
Zaragoza gave him his first big break in the 2012-13 season, when he made his debut for them in La Liga in a 3-1 win over Espanyol. Ahead of the 2017-18 season, Rodriguez moved abroad for the first time, eventually making 53 appearances for Seattle Sounders in Major League Soccer (MLS), the MLS Cup Playoffs and the US Open Cup across nearly three seasons. Last summer, he arrived at Indian shores for the first time when he signed with Odisha FC.
With Rodriguez leading the pack, Odisha lifted their first major silverware in April this year, when they won the Super Cup. The midfielder registered two goals and two assists in the competition, before bidding adieu to the Juggernauts and joining the Gaurs.
