Spanish striker becomes signing number eight
Cristian Lopez has today become Huddersfield Town’s eighth signing of the summer following a successful trial period, pending international clearance.
The striker is the first Spaniard ever to sign for the Club after agreeing a one deal; Town has an option on a further year’s extension. The 24 year-old striker has signed on a free transfer following the conclusion of his contract at Segunda Division B side Atletico Baleares.
Lopez has been on trial with the Terriers for a week and after making a good impression against Real Betis followed that up with a goal against Oldham in Town’s final pre-season friendly.
Lopez is the fifth striker Mark Robins’ has signed this summer following the arrivals of James Vaughan, Martin Paterson, Jon Stead and Daniel Carr.
“We want to have cover and competition for places in as many positions as possible and the deal to bring Cristian to the Club was a very good one,” said Robins.
“Prior to pre-season we only had one striker on the books in Jimmy Spencer, so to be in the position we are in now is very pleasing.
“Cristian has showed in just a short space of time his raw ability and we believe we can develop him and make him a better footballer. He took his goal very well at Oldham and worked tirelessly with and without the ball. He hasn’t had a pre-season, so we will need to get him up to speed before we can get the best out of him.”
Lopez made his professional debut in 2008 for Alicante and aided the Valencian Community side’s promotion to the Segunda Division.
The striker featured infrequently during Alicante’s disappointing season in the Segunda Division and later signed for Real Madrid Castilla in the summer of 2009. He finished his first season as the Club’s second top scorer with ten goals.
Valencia B purchased the striker in 2011 where he scored 11 goals before joining Atletico Baleares last season. In 35 appearances he scored nine goals for the Palma based club.
Cristian will wear the number 19 shirt.
