Pune FC confirms the signing of Equatorial Guinea international and former Villareal CF ‘B’ striker Raúl Iván Fabiani Bosio, popularly known as Raúl Fabiani, for the 2013-14 season.

Twenty-nine-year-old Raúl becomes Pune FC’s fifth signing in this window and joins playmaker Douhou Pierre as the second player in the foreign quota. He also becomes the first European player to sign for Pune FC.

Spanish-born Raúl joins Pune FC after a successful season with Valencia-based club Huracán CF in the Segunda Division B (3rd Division) during which he guided them to the play-offs final only to lose out promotion on away goals.

Standing at 6 foot and 6 inches high, Raúl interestingly, is the tallest striker ever to be signed by the club since promotion to the I-League in 2009-10.

Pune FC Head Operations, Chirag Tanna said; “We are very happy to have signed Raul. He has an excellent record in Spain (Segunda and Segunda B) and we believe he has the necessary attributes to succeed in the I-League.”

Arriving in the city on Sunday, Raúl said, “I’m happy to be in India and be a part of Pune FC which is one of the top clubs.”

“I’m willing to put in a lot of effort and want to help Pune FC win the league. I will try to score as many goals as possible,” he added.

Raúl started his career at top division side Villareal CF (2001) coming through the ranks as a youngster. He was later promoted to their ‘B’ team (2003) and started playing in the 2nd Division.

Thereafter, he plied his trade for Segunda Division B clubs, Moralo CP, CP Cacereño, UD Lanzarote, CD Teruel and Villajoyosa CF establishing himself as a proven goalscorer. He also had a short stint in Greece at Panachaiki FC in 2008.

In 2010, he joined CD Alcoyano and helped them to promotion in his first season top-scoring with 12 goals throughout the campaign. A season in the Segunda Division (2nd Division) was followed by a return to 3rd division side Huracán Valencia for the 2012-13 season.

Born to a Spanish father and an Equatoguinean mother, Raúl holds both Spanish and Equatoguinean nationality. In 2011, he was naturalised to play for the Equatorial Guinea national team with the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon) being his biggest moment.

The striker made two appearances against eventual champions Zambia in the Group Stage and against Ivory Coast in the Quarters during the Africa Cup of Nations. Overall in his career, he has made a total of six appearances for Equatorial Guinea.

Raúl thus becomes Pune FC’s fifth foreign striker to be signed in the Elite League after Edmar Figueira (Brazil; 2009-11), Mandjou Keita (Guinea; 2010-12), James Moga (South Sudan; 2012-13) and Boima Karpeh (Australia 2013).

The deal between Pune FC and Raúl Fabiani was facilitated by Kickoff India.

(Pune FC Press Release)