Kike Garcia, Eibar player until 2019
The player must wait until next season to play in official games
The forward Kike García (Motilla del Palancar-Cuenca, 1989) comes from Middlesbrough, an English club in the FL Championship in which he has played for a season and a half after playing for six seasons with Real Murcia.
As the Sporting Director of the Club, Fran Garagarza, explained, it is “great news” for Eibar, which could have been even better if it had been possible to finalise the deal before the close of the winter transfer window.
“I am very disappointed because we had it in our hands, but at the same time I am very proud of the club’s work and because we have a top player.”
Once the transfer window opened, Eibar approached Boro to buy the player, but they were asking for amounts that were impossible for the Gunsmiths.
On 1 February, Eibar made a new offer but at 14:30 received a negative reply and at that point believed the signing had been ruled out.
However, at 21:40, Eibar received a call from Middlesbrough saying that the deal could be reached if there was an increase in the bid. The Sporting Commission was consulted and the green light was given for a very complex operation, because terms had to be agreed with the player and with the Club, an important amount of money had to be transferred and both parties had to complete all the formalities before midnight.
Eibar finished filling-out all the information at 23:43 but the TMS from Middlesbrough arrived after the deadline.
Garagarza stated that the Club was conscious that it was taking the risk of not being able to complete the process in time, but that the operation went ahead because the player is an important asset for the coming seasons.
“He is a player we have wanted since we were in the Second Division. It is great news that he will be our player until 2019. The player wanted to come to Eibar in spite of having received offers from other clubs who were prepared to pay up to three times more than what Eibar has paid. He and his wife have given their all to come to Eibar. Kiko went so far as to say to his Club: either I go to Eibar or I stay here,” stated Garagarza.
In his opinion, Kike Garcia “gives us goals, peace of mind and enthusiasm”. “We went an extra step with his signing. It gives us peace of mind because it is difficult and expensive to get forwards. We have Sergi and Kike on long contracts and that leaves me reassured. We will do everything possible to keep Borja with us but we are aware that it will be very difficult.”
Garagarza said that the footballer “is a little disappointed but today is already better than yesterday. He’s happy.” Kike García will be under the Club’s orders from next week and on Tuesday will train with his new teammates.
The Club has been reinforced during the January transfer window. Three signings, the departure of three players who wanted to leave the Club and Keko hasn’t been sold. We have maintained the average age and signed the players we wanted,” he said in summary.
For his part, Mikel Larrañaga, the SD Eibar board representative, said that the signing is “excellent news” and congratulated the Sporting Management for the work they have done.