PUNE: DSK Shivajians have completed the signing of experienced Spanish attacker Juan Quero Barraso to bolster their squad for the remainder of the I-League 2015-16 season.
The 31-year old joins Pune’s only I-League club after a brief stint with Maltese Premier League side Birkirkara FC and thus completes DSK Shivajians’ foreign quota which includes Ivory Coast’s Douhou Pierre, Aser Pierrick Dipanda Dika (Cameroon) and Haroon Amiri (Afghanistan) in the squad.
DSK Shivajians’ President, Shirish Kulkarni said, “We are pleased to have signed Juan. He has proved his worth across various leagues around the world. I am certain he will add another dimension to the talented squad that we have at DSK Shivajians Football Club. We wish him all the luck.”
DSK Shivajians’ Coach, Derrick Pereira said, “We are delighted to have Juan on-board. Juan brings to the team the experience of playing in the La Liga which is huge and above all having played in Thailand settling in shouldn’t be a problem. Both experiences make him an asset to the squad.”
The diminutive player, who began playing football for Real Madrid Youth teams, interestingly boasts of the experience of playing on three continents – Europe, Asia and South America.
The Madrid-born began his football career in Spain with Fourth Division side DAV Santa Ana (2003-05) before moving a level up to AD Alcorcón (2005-07). The following season, Juan turned professional when Segunda (second) Division side CD Numancia (2007-09) snapped him. The midfielder repaid the faith by helping them qualify to the La Liga after a three-year absence.
Juan featured regularly for the Soria-based club in the Spanish top-flight and in fact made his La Liga debut in a 3-4 away loss to Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Subsequently he featured for Rayo Vallecano (2009-10), Elche (2010-11), La Palmas (2010-11) and Cordoba (2011-12) in the Segunda Division before moving to the Gulf to join Dubai CSC (2012-13). The following season, he represented Buriram United (2013) and Chonburi FC in the Thai Premier League before moving to South America and join Bolivian side Oriente Petrolero (2013-14).
During his stint with Oriente, Juan played in the Copa Libertadores, the highest-level of Club competition in South America.
Following his stint in Bolivia, Juan returned to Thailand to represent Ratchaburi FC before making the move back to Spain with Hercules CF (2014-15) and then playing for Birkirkara FC (2015).
Juan is the first Spanish-born player to be signed by DSK Shivajians. He becomes the second European to be signed by the club after defender Luc Wulterkens (2014-2015) who plied his trade for the club in the local leagues.
