ISL 2020-21: Mumbai City FC close to signing former Atletico Madrid B winger

Fresh from the City Football Group’s (CFG) takeover, and having roped in former FC Goa head coach Sergio Lobera, Mumbai City FC are in the process of building a strong squad ahead of the upcoming season of the Indian Super League (ISL).

They have already signed Mandar Rao Desai, Mourtada Fall and Ahmed Jahouh from FC Goa and are looking for more new recruitments. According to our sources, the Islanders are close to signing Spanish winger Jorge Ortiz, who plies his trade in Segunda División B (Spain’s third tier).

It has been learnt that at least one other ISL club was in the race to sign the former Atletico Madrid B attacker but sources believe that Mumbai have won the race. Understandably, Lobera likes the player and has given the green signal before Mumbai went all in.

Sergio Lobera (Image: ISL)

Ortiz, a natural right winger, can also play down the left flank. The 28-year-old, who is known for his pace, was in talks to move to the ISL last year as well. However, the move did not materialise as he chose to stay back in Spain and play for Atletico Baleares.

He has vast experience of playing in the Spanish Second Division (Real Oviedo and Alcorcón) and also turned out for Atlético de Madrid B in 2018. He ended up in the Balearic Islands after playing at the CD Leones.

In 20 games for Baleares, Ortiz has scored eight times, thus finishing as the second top scorer of Group 1, and he also has three assists to his name. All things considered, if the signing does go through, it will be interesting to see how he performs in India.