Alberto: Get to know Wanderers’ Spanish recruit

Western Sydney Wanderers’ new signing Alberto Aguilar comes to the Hyundai A-League on the back of a successful stint at Spanish side Ponferradino. Here’s what you need to know about the 31-year old defender.

Increasing Spanish influence at the club
 
Alberto is the fourth Spaniard to join the Western Sydney Wanderers this season. The club have signed midfielders Andreu Mayoral and Dimas Delgado for the new campaign, along with new assistant coach Andreas Carrasco. 
 

Alberto is a versatile player who is able to play as a defender and a defensive midfielder.
 
Experience
 
The defender has spent his entire football career in Spain where he was a product of the Malaga youth system 11 seasons ago.
 
He went on to have stints in both the Segunda Division and La Liga with clubs such as Getafe, Albacete, Cordoba and Ponferradino where he made 29 appearances last season.

 
Copa del Rey runner-up
 
In 2006/07 Alberto was part of the Getafe side that finished runners-up in the Copa del Rey.
 
Their journey saw them defeat Xerez in Round 32, Valencia in Round 16, Osasuna in the quarter-finals before they were pinned up against Spanish giants Barcelona in the semi-final.
 
The first leg of the semis saw Getafe lose 5-2 after goals by  Xavi, Guöjohnsen, Eto’o and two from Xavi.

Getafe managed to defeat Barcelona 4-0 on their way to the 2007 Copa del Rey final.

Ultimately they were unable to defeat Sevilla after conceding an early goal and were subsequently runners-up of the competition in front of an 80,000 crowd.
 
2007/08 saw history repeating itself with Alberto and Getafe making their way to the final once more after the successful defeats of Levante, Mallorca and Racing de Santader only to lose 3-1 to Valencia in the final.
 
Wanderers international spots filled
 
Alberto is the final international signing by the Western Sydney Wanderers for the upcoming 2015/16 season.
 
With a maximum of five international players per team this section of the squad is now complete with two Australian spots still able to be filled in the 23-man squad.

 The international players are Romeo Castelen, Andreu, Dimas, marquee Federico Piovaccari and now Alberto.

Membership for the 2015/16 Hyundai A-League season is on sale now.  Click here for more information and to sign up today.