Cristobal Marquez Crespo has an incredible playing pedigree developed in Spain’s first division with Villarreal among other clubs, as well as experience gained playing in Ukraine.
Now the midfielder is bringing all that talent and experience down under after a difficult period that saw his career stutter because of red tape.
Crespo, who fell out with his Ukrainian club, sought help from FIFA and CAS before finally opting to resurrect his career in the unlikely setting ofSandringham, Auckland.
The timing was perfect.
Following the loss of midfielder Albert Riera to professional football with the Wellington Phoenix, Auckland City coach Ramon Tribuliex was on the look-out for someone new to fill the vast hole left in the centre of the park.
“To suddenly lose an important player is hard and we had to find an alternative – and quickly,” Tribuliex says.
“We have a Spanish player called Cristobal who has come in as an alternative to Albert. He’s a player with a good pedigree and he’s similar to Albert though with perhaps more of an attacking mind.
“He’s going to give us that Spanish flair that we may be needing to make sure we keep this style of football happening week in and week out.”
Crespo says he leapt at the opportunity to join Auckland City, with the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup an added incentive.
“I’m a group player – a combination player. I like to make a lot of passes with other people and I know I help the team,” Crespo says of his playing style.
“It’s been very good to play with this team, very easy. The philosophy of the team is pass, pass, pass – and it’s very good for me – my style.
Crespo says he’s incredibly excited about heading to Morocco, a country near his home of Spain, but somewhere he’s never visited before.
“The team’s that go to play this tournament are very, very good teams. But, we will try to make a good tournament and we will try to win that first match,” he says.
“A lot of people will be watching. It’s good for Auckland City, for the players, it’s very exciting.”
Crespo played a key role in Auckland City’s 2-0 win over Waitakere United on Sunday and if the Navy Blues are to overcome Raja Casablanca the form of the former Villareal man could be all important.
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