Welcome Miguel! Our new Spaniard primed to make a difference.
Miguel Palanca touched down in Adelaide and jumped right into training following his arrival from Spain, undoubtedly eager to add his experience to the Reds for the last half of the season.
Featuring for La Liga side Espanyol and his childhood team Real Madrid, the 27-year-old has a wealth of understanding and pace about his game.
He was immediately impressed with the physicality of his teammates, stating that Spanish players have different attributes.
“I have noticed already that the players here are very strong and quick, and maybe this is different in Spain where these things are less important in the profile of a player,” he said.
“Instead, the players are more technical just without these physical aspects, but the training in Spain is very similar.”
Palanca has been under the keen eye of coach Josep Gombau for a while now, and he believes that he can add so much invaluable experience and depth to the squad.
Miguel Palanca touched down in Adelaide and jumped right into training following his arrival from Spain, undoubtedly eager to add his experience to the Reds for the last half of the season.
“Miguel is a player that has a lot of experience. I saw him and I knew of him from when he was young and a player at Espanyol because at the time I was coaching at Barcelona.
“He’s a player that has big experience in La Liga for Real Madrid and also in Segunda División and has played a lot of games there.
“It’s not easy to play at this level in Spain and for us to have him is something that is important. We are confident that he will improve the level of the team and for this reason we have brought him to the club.”
Another important reason that led to the coming of Palanca was his relationship with central midfielder Isaías, with the two having trained together through their youth career.
Miguel said that Isaías was his first point of contact and answered a lot of questions he had about the club, the teams, and what it was like to play in Australia.
“I was of course hesitant to move so far away from home with my wife, but in the end this is the life of a footballer and there are different stages of your career that you need to achieve,” he said.
“There was a chance to come last transfer window but in the end I decided to stay in Spain, however, here I sit now and I feel like I have made the right decision.”
Perhaps the Socceroos’ timely Asian Cup win was the final straw that led to Miguel’s arrival, as he had some positive words about Australian football.
“The fact is that this country is growing a lot when it comes to football,” he said positively.
“People in Europe are talking more and more about the A-League and now that Australia has won the Asian Cup and defeated very strong countries, it is showing that the league is growing and growing.”
As a natural offensive player, able to play on both wings and as a forward, Miguel believes his willingness to link up with teammates are his most valuable attributes.
“I like to play in the team and make combinations with my teammates,” he said.
“I’m coming here to enjoy playing football, to help my teammates, and to follow what the coach says that I have to do.
“Think Pedro from Barcelona or Antoine Griezmann from Atlético Madrid, these world class players are who I try to play like.”
Miguel’s most memorable moments of his career thus far include his debut with the Espanyol first team, the side he trained with as a youth, and of course Real Madrid where he was in the same team as his idols and came on as a substitute against Barcelona at Camp Nou.
We are certain that Miguel Palanca can make many more memories both for himself and Adelaide United Football Club.
To read more features like these, make sure you pick up a copy of #ADLUnite on match days for only $2. They will be available from the Merchandise Vans and Program Sellers in both precincts as well as the Reds Room and History Room.
