PETALING JAYA: Negri Sembilan are going for Spanish flavour to spruce up their attack.
The Deer announced the signing of Spanish striker Mika Junco (pic), whose real name is Miguel Angel Junco Martinez, from Finnish club Kotkan Tyovaen Palloilijat (KTP).
He is expected to be the team’s top striker for the upcoming season, flanked by playmakers like Myanmar international Hein Htet Aung, former national Under-23 winger A. Selvan and former national winger Hadin Azman.
Junco was first encountered during a friendly when Negri played Kuala Lumpur at the Cheras Football Stadium on Saturday, where they lost 1-2.
He has had experience in South-East Asia when he played for Cambodian club Svay Rieng in 2021, where he scored 15 goals in 16 matches.
This is his first time performing in Malaysia. He closely followed the development of football in South-East Asia because he had played in the Cambodian Premier League with the Svay Rieng.
The former top scorer and best player of Ykkosliiga (Division 2 Finland) in the 2022 season is excited to represent Negri.
“Of course, I want to help the team and score as many goals as possible. I got to know this club when I played in Cambodia and I am happy to play with this team,” said Junco, who played with KTP in the Finnish League in 2020, 2022 and 2023.
With KTP, Junco has played 61 matches. He has scored 36 goals and recorded 10 assists.
Negri coach Azzmi Ab Aziz said Junco’s arrival is expected to have a positive impact on the team, especially up front.
“His presence is expected to help improve the team’s stability and add strategic options to the game,” said Azzmi.
“I am confident that with his experience and reputation, as well as the cooperation of all the players, our team will be able to compete well this season.”
Besides Junco, the other foreigners the club have signed are Nigerian defender Aliyu Abubakar, Senegalese midfielder Jacque Faye, Japanese midfielder Takumi Sasaki and South Korean midfielder An Sang-su.
