One of the reasons for Kerala Blasters’ poor showing so far this season is the long-term injury that key midfielder Sergio Cidoncha suffered against Chennaiyin FC in late November. Now, over a month later, they have signed his replacement, Juan de Dios Prados López.
The Spanish midfielder started his career aged 19 at Real Betis, before moving to Granada on loan six years later. After stints with lower-division sides including Spezia in Spain, Belgium and Italy, the 34-year-old midfielder travelled to Australia to play for Perth Glory in 2018, winning the Players’ Player of the Year Award in both of his seasons in the A-League.