Indian Super League side Delhi Dynamos have announced the signing of 35-year-old Spanish custodian Toni Doblas ahead of the second edition of the ISL.
Doblas, who has a decent amount of experience playing with a host of European clubs in the past, joins the likes of Indian goalkeepers Ravi Kumar and former Atletico de Kolkata custodian Subhasish Roy Chowdhury in the Dynamos roster this summer.
The player has lifted the Copa del Rey with La Liga side Real Betis in the 2004-05 season, as well as the Coppa Italia with Serie A outfit Napoli in 2013-14. Present Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez was the manager of Napoli, when Doblas played for the Italian club.
Delhi boast the presence of big names like Roberto Carlos, John Arne Riise, Florent Malouda, among others, this season, and Doblas looks keen to play his part with the "decorated team" that the franchisee side are building this summer.
"I am very excited to start a new adventure in my career and I am looking forward to be a part of this decorated team that Delhi Dynamos is building. I am confident that we will do very well this season and win our first title," Doblas said in a statement.
The 6ft tall goalkeeper joins the Delhi Dynamos from Catalan side Cornella, who ply their trade in the Spanish third tier – the Segunda División B. Doblas signed for the Spanish outfit only earlier this year.
It is to be noted that last season, Dynamos had the world's tallest goalkeeper in the form of Belgian Kristof Van Hout, who stands at 6ft 10 inches tall.
Meanwhile, Delhi Dynamos FC president Prashant Agarwal, also talked up Doblas' inclusion in the squad for the new ISL season. "We are delighted to have signed Toni for this season. He is a goalkeeper that has played at the highest level across top leagues in Europe such as Serie A and La Liga. I'm sure his confidence and composure at the back will do wonders for the team," Agarwal said.
Dynamos open their campaign in the ISL this season against FC Goa on 4 October at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda. The side, led by Brazil legend Carlos, are currently undergoing preseason training in Sweden.
