The Spanish team Girona FC is set to visit India to take part as a competing sides in the La Liga World Tournament which will be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi, Kerala.
Football news: The Spaniards will play against teams from India and Australia
The pre-season tournament is set to take place between 24 and 28 July 2018 where the Spanish team will face A-League team Melbourne City FC and Indian Super League (ISL) side Kerala Blasters on July 27 and 28 respectively.
Previously Bundesliga team Bayern Munich had played against the Indian national team in 2012, which was also the farewell match of former Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia. Girona will also be the first Spanish side to play in India.
For the first time in their 87-year-old history, Girona FC had qualified for the La Liga last season and had finished 10th in the league. The best moment of their maiden season was beating Champions League winners Real Madrid 2-1.
Marc Muniesa, who is a youth from Barcelona academy will come to India, but Cristhian Stuani, the Uruguay international who replaced Edinson Cavani in the group stage in 2018 World Cup, was not included in the squad.
Speaking of the tournament, La Liga’s Indian manager said Jose Cachaza said, "We massively look forward to Girona FC’s visiting and playing in India for the first time. Knowing the love for the most beautiful game in this country, we are sure the fans are as excited as we are to watch the matches.
"Seeing a top ten LaLiga football club in person will surely spark a change in the footballing environment of this country and we are glad to have played our part to make it happen for the fans in India," he added.
Girona FC president Delfí Geli commented, "It is an honour for our club to participate in this tournament in India. For Girona FC it will be a special experience as it will be the first time our team has played away from Europe since its foundation 88 years ago.
"We are looking forward to starting the tournament and showing the football that we have displayed in LaLiga to the Indian football fans and the world."
Girona FC squad:
Goalkeepers: Gorka Iraizoz Moreno, Yassine Bounou, Marc Vito Brezmes;
Defenders: Bernado Jose Espinosa Zuniga, Jonas Ramalho Chimeno, Pedro Alcala Guirado, Francisco Aday Benitez Caraballo, Juan Pedro Ramirez Lopez, Marc Muniesa Martinez, Carles Planas Antolines, Sebastia Coris Cardenosa;
Midfielders: Alex Granell Nogue, Pere Pons Reira, David Timor Copovi, Borja Garcia Freire, Ruben Alcaraz Jimenez, Aleix Garcia Serrano;
Forwards: Cristian Potugues Manzanera, Antony Ruben Lozano Colon, Yhoan Many Andzouana, Kevin Olivier Soni, Pedro Antonio Porro Sauceda.