The Spaniard played an integral role in the Islanders’ historic campaign last season.
Northeast United FC have kickstarted their preparations for the 2021-22 season with the capture reigning ISL Champion Hernan Santana from Mumbai City FC.
Hernan moves to the Highlanders after helping Mumbai City FC to a domestic double and an AFC Champions league spot. At Mumbai, he formed a study partnership with Mourtada Fall at the heart of the defense and achieved the second-best defensive record in the 2020-21 season. He recorded 2 goals, 17 tackles, 41 interceptions, 27 clearances and 17 blocks in 19 outings for the Islanders.
Santana is a graduate of Spanish side, UD Las Palmas. After impressive performances with the youth team, he climbed his way up to the B team and scored 8 goals for them. In 2011, he made his first team debut as a B team player in a 0–5 away defeat against AD Alcorcon in La Liga 2. The following year in 2012, he secured a permanent move to the first team and became a regular starter.
He was an influential figure in Las Palmas’ historic run which saw them come back among the elite of Spain after a gap of 13 years. In his 6 year long stay with the first team, Hernan made 133 appearances including three seasons in the Spanish La Liga and scored 5 goals, including 1 against Spanish Giants Real Madrid.
After almost a decade with his boyhood club, Hernan signed a 3-year contract with Sporting Gigon in the winter transfer window of 2017-18. For Sporting, he racked up 4 goal contributions which included 2 goals and 2 assists over the course of two seasons in the Spanish second tier. And to see out the last year of his contract, he joined Mumbai City on loan last season.
Hernan’s addition to the squad will give Northeast United a much-needed boast after the departure of Apuia. Santana is a multi-faceted midfielder who can also shoulder the responsibilities of a goal-scoring center-back.
Northeast United’s preparation for the upcoming season: The Highlanders have started their work behind the scenes for the upcoming season with new additions and contract extensions of important players.