Kolkata, June 18 (IANS): Defending Indian Super League (ISL) champions Atletico de Kolkata on Thursday announced the signing of two Spanish footballers – midfielder Jaime Gavilan Martinez who plays for Platanias FC, and centre back Jose Luis Espinosa Arroyo, popularly known as ‘Tiri’.
While Jaime is a Valencia CF youth product, Tiri had joined Spanish giants Atletico de Madrid Academy's B team in the summer of 2012.
After the announcement of the signing of Iain Edward Hume and retaining three international recruits – Josemi, Borja Fernandez and Oftense Nato – for this season, now these two Spanish footballers will boost the squad as they head into the second edition of the extravagant tournament.
"Both Jaime and Tiri have good experience playing in Spain. While Jaime has performed for a top division club like Levante and has extensive La Liga experience, I am also excited about young Tiri who can play in central defence and at left-back and can contribute to our game plan for the upcoming season," ATK head coach Antonio Lopez Habas said in a release.
Speaking about the pair, co-owner Sanjiv Goenka said: "Our head coach and the Atletico de Kolkata management felt that these two players will be the perfect fit for the team and enable us to perform competitively in the upcoming season."
"We have retained some experienced seasoned performers for the second edition and now we have rightly invested on two exciting talents from Spain."