By Manpreet Singh Bhatia
Jamshedpur, July 28: Spanish defender Jose Luis Espinosa Arroyo, better known as Tiri in the Indian football circuit, has landed a contract with the newly-formed franchise Jamshedpur (Football Club) FC for the season 4 of cash-rich Indian Super League (ISL).
The player took to Twitter to confirm the move. “Happy to join to Jamshedpur FC, my new home. I will do everything to achieve the main objective, to win the Indian Super League. See you soon Jamshedpur FC” stated the player, using a graphic on Twitter on July 27.
The club also confirmed the move on July 28 evening through its twitter handle.
‘We are delighted to announce our first international signing – Jose Luis Espinosa (Tiri)!’, declared Jamshedpur FC on twitter. With this confirmation, Tiri becomes Jamshedpur FC first foreign signing.
Jamshedpur FC which has already recruited heavily during the domestic draft, roping in Indian stars like Anas Edathodika, Subrata Pal, Mehtab Hossain, Souvik Chakrabarti and Bikash Jairu. With the signing of Tiri, who was a rock at the back last season, Steve Coppell has a formidable squad of players, which could even see them challenge for the title in their very first season in the ISL.
Wishes poured in on social media from the time he announced his participation with Jamshedpur FC Club.
Ishaf Ahmed, assistant coach of Jamshedpur FC, welcomed Tiri. ‘Welcome my brother it’s great to have you as our first foreign signing’, stated Ishfaq on twitter.
Goalkeeper Subrata Paul who has been signed by Jamshedpur FC during the ISL draft also welcomed the Spanish defender on twitter who later thanked the goalie on twitter ‘Thanks Subrata see you soon, friend’.
Daniel ‘Dani’ Mallo Castro, the Spanish professional footballer who plays for Atl�tico de Kolkata as a goalkeeper also wished Tiri luck during his stint with Jamshedpur FC. He also took to twitter stating, ‘All the best for the new “man of steel” Tiri I hope we will meet in the Indian Super League 2017/18 Great signature Jamshedpur FC’.
Tiri, who has previously played for Spanish clubs Cadiz, Atletico Madrid ‘B’ and Marbella, joined ATK in the 2015 season from Atletico Madrid ‘B’ side and managed a total of 1,170 minutes in the league.