Panaji: FC Goa have started their rebuild for the season with the signing of Argentinian playmaker Francisco Feuillassier Abalo, popularly known as Franchu.The 27-year-old arrives at Goa after an impressive spell with Kerala Blasters FC, where he registered a goal contribution every 72 minutes in the Indian Super League (ISL) last season. The Argentinian’s arrival in the second half of the league sparked a revival at the club as they won five of their last six matches, remaining unbeaten.“A product of the Real Madrid youth academy, Franchu is a player known to operate in spaces between the lines and can score consistently. One third of Kerala’s goals last season resulted from Franchu’s direct contribution. He offers versatility across the attacking line.”Franchu was a late signing at Kerala Blasters last season and scored two goals in six matches. He also registered three assists, two less than the league high of five by Golden Ball winner Miguel Figueira.Born in Mar del Plata, Argentina, Franchu entered elite football early, joining Real Madrid’s academy at just 10. Three years later, he moved to Rayo Vallecano, before earning a return to Madrid where he debuted for the seniors under Zinedine Zidane in the Copa del Rey.The playmaker later built his career with clubs like Rayo Vallecano, CF Fuenlabrada, SD Eibar, and FC Cartagena, featuring across Segunda, the second division in Spain. Before his move to India, Franchu plied his trade with Karmiotissa FC in Cyprus.For Goa, Franchu’s signing is the first of a foreign rebuild with the club expected to replace all foreign players. While Dejan Drazic has completed a move to Mohun Bagan Super Giant, experienced Spanish defender Pol Moreno is unlikely to return.Goa played with just two foreign players last season due to the uncertainty surrounding the start of the top tier league. The club had six foreigners for its campaign in the AFC Champions League Two, but by the time the league kicked off in February, four – Iker Guarrotxena (Indonesia), Borja Herrera (Indonesia), David Timor (Spain) and Javier Siverio (Cyprus) — had moved elsewhere.Under Manolo Marquez, the club’s most successful coach, Goa won the Super Cup to qualify for continental championships.Goa will take on FC Istiklol in Turkmenistan on August 12 in the single-leg ACL2 playoff. The winner will qualify for the group stages of ACL2, while the losing side will have to settle for a place in the AFC Challenge League, the third tier of Asian football’s club competition.
