KAYA FUTBOL Club-Iloilo bolstered its goal keeper position ahead of its Asian Football Confederation Cup campaign next month by signing up former Global Cebu keeper Louis Michael Casas.
Kaya Iloilo head coach Noel Marcaida confirmed the signing of former University of St. La Salle-Bacolod standout Casas, who will replace retired goal keeper Reffix Cuaresma.
The Danao, Cebu-native Casas, who was part of the national menās football team in 2004, will be joining his third football club in his career after previously playing for Ceres-Negros FC and Global Cebu.
The 32-year-old Casas, who also played internationally with Ceres Negros in AFC Cup, is expected to play alongside Philippine Azkalsā keeper Nathanael Ace Villanueva and Zach Banzon at the Kaya Iloilo.
Marcaida added that Casas will not be the last new player they will sign up this offseason as they are searching for someone who will take over the spots of retired Antonio Ugarte and Miguel Tanton, who transferred to Ceres Negros.
āMiguel is a huge loss for us but may mga players din tayo who can take over his spot,ā said Marcaida, pertaining to Negrense Arnie Pasinabo, Marwin Angeles, Arnel Amita and Eric Giganto.
āWe also have players who were trying out who has the potential,ā he added. āItās a matter of giving them the responsibility and these players grabbing or embracing the opportunity to work on the area that Miguel Tanton will not be serving with us.ā
Kaya Iloilo will begin its AFC Cup campaign by facing the Lao Toyota on February 27 in Laos. Prior to that, they have scheduled friendly matches against Sabah FA and Ceres-Negros./PN
