Melbourne Victory have confirmed the signing of defender Alan Baro on a one-year deal heading into the 2016-17 A-League season.
SBS’ The World Game reported that the Spaniard had agreed terms with the club last week, despite the fact his previous side SD Ponferradina offered him a new three-year deal at the end of the last campaign.
The 31-year-old participated in his first training session with teammates on Monday morning after arriving in the country over the weekend, then also completing his medical.
The experienced 31-year-old predominantly plays in the heart of the defence, with an ability to also shift into midfield.
“We identified Alan as a player who can add valuable experience and leadership to the team, having played consistently at a high level in Spain,” said Victory coach Kevin Muscat.
“We’re excited about what Alan can bring to Melbourne Victory this season.”
His leadership will well and truly be one of his major assets he brings to the Victory having most recently been captain at his previous club.
“I am excited about this opportunity to play with Melbourne Victory in the A-League,” Baro said.
“I have heard good things about the quality of football in Australia and I am looking forward to start training with my new teammates.”
Baro has plied his trade in his native Spain for over a decade, spending most of his time with Ponferradina in the Segunda Division (Spain’s second tier), making 167 appearances after joining at the beginning of the 2011-12 campaign.
During his time in Spain he has enjoyed stints at Albacete, Osasuna, Alicante and Figueres – since turning professional in 2008-09.
The Victory have been on the lookout for defensive reinforcements since the retirement of Matthieu Delpierre and the season-long loan move of Thomas Deng to Dutch giants PSV.
So what exactly does the Spaniard bring to the club in comparison to Delpierre?
Baro is recognised as a defender who has the ability to distribute the ball out from the back, a similar trait to the Frenchmen who was a key player in helping to set up Victory’s attacks due to his excellent passing ability.
He may not have the Champions League experience Delpierre bought to the club, but by no means is his CV to be questioned.
The biggest worry that comes with Boro is his height though, standing at only 180 cm tall, he does not possess the dominant aerial ability that the recently retired Delpierre bought to the side.
Even though he may not be the biggest of central-defenders, he makes up for it with his tough competitive instinct.
Baro joins the Victory as their third signing of the summer, following the arrivals of James Donachie and Mitch Austin from the Brisbane Roar and Central Coast Mariners, respectively.
Victory fans should not expect this to be the last deal, however, as they lost 10 players at the end of last season.
The Spaniard is expected to compete in upcoming matches against Juventus and Atletico Madrid later this month.
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