The defending I-League champions tick off their foreigners quota as the Blues look forward to the season ahead...

Bengaluru FC have secured a deal for Spanish veteran, Alvaro Rubio from Spanish Segunda division side, Real Valladolid. Former Real Madrid Castilla centre-half Juan Antonio González Fernández also joins the Blues for the upcoming season.

The 37-year-old Rubio is a defensive midfielder and will sign a four month contract for the 2016-17 I-League campaign. With 296 appearances in both La Liga and Segunda division combined, Rubio will bring much needed experience into the Bengaluru midfield.

The former Spain under-21 International seems to be a typical Albert Roca signing. The former Barcelona assistant coach is recruiting a player from deep into Spain’s second division; a player he has watched in his time in Spain and must truly believe the experienced campaigner can bring something to this Bengaluru team.

Rubio, who has also played for Real Zaragoza and Albacete, a team currently owned by Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta, is known for his defensive capabilities; especially his ability to break-up play and start counter-attacks from deep within his own half.

"I am happy to have signed for Bengaluru FC. We trained with the team today and everyone is very welcoming. The aim is to try and understand the systems as soon as possible and I would like to use my experience to help the team to success", Rubio said after he was integrated into the club's training session on Monday.

Juan Antonio González Fernández, fondly known as Juanan, signs a season-long deal with the two time I-League champions. Juanan has had stints in the 'B' teams of La Liga giants Real Madrid and Deportivo de La Coruna before spending three seasons with Fortuna Dusseldorf, of which one was in the Bundesliga.

The 29-year-old central defender last played for Rayo OKC in the North American Soccer League, a sister club of Rayo Vallecano from Spain. The 6 ft 4' defender also has the experience of playing in the UEFA Cup with Deportivo's senior side as he replaced Filipe Luis for the last 20 minutes in a game against AaB Fodbold.

"I’ve come here to experience something new and I’m confident I will be able to contribute to the team’s success. I’ve left my family back home and that is tough but I’m here to do a job and do it well", Juanan expressed as he looked keen to settle into the side quickly.

Albert Roca, within a month of being appointed has completed his foreign signings quota of four. Defender John Johnson penned a contract extension while the addition of Australian midfielder Cameron Watson and the Spanish duo of Rubio and Juanan fulfills the cap.

Roca, former apprentice of Frank Rijkaard remained confident over the new signings. He said, "Alvaro and Juan bring with them valuable experience of playing at the top level. They have played with and competed against some of the best players in world football and I have little doubt that they will give the team an advantage. They are good professionals and team players and will strengthen the squad before what is a crucial set of AFC Cup games."