傑志今日正式宣佈西班牙防守中場巴爾拿 (José Raúl Baena) 簽約加盟，並將註冊為指定非本地(外籍)球員。
巴爾拿出身自巴塞隆拿的拉瑪西亞青訓學院，同門師兄弟包括美斯、恩尼斯達、法比加斯等球星。他於2007年轉投同市另一支西甲球隊愛斯賓奴，在名帥普捷天奴的帶領下效力4個球季，其後轉投另一西甲隊伍華歷簡奴，8個球季中為這兩支球隊合共上陣超過150場西甲賽事。
直至2017/18球季，巴爾拿以隊長身分加盟西乙球隊CF格蘭納達，並於一季後首度出國發展，轉投澳職球隊墨爾本勝利，期間為球隊上陣24場，包括3場亞冠盃分組賽賽事。上個球季，他則效力希臘超球隊艾杜美圖斯。
傑志足球總監兼總教練朱志光對巴爾拿寄予厚望，認為這位西班牙中場可帶領球隊更上層樓：「巴爾拿是一位攻守兼備、且富領導能力的中場球員，他擅長控制球賽的節奏，亦有豐富的比賽經驗，期望他能以身作則，在場內場外為隊中年輕球員樹立好榜樣，加速他們的成長。」
巴爾拿已於11月25日到港，他剛完成14天檢疫隔離後，新冠病毒檢測亦呈陰性。巴爾拿今日正式向球隊報到，隔離期間亦一直有自行操練保持體能，希望疫情盡快緩和，可以早日同新球隊展開操練。這名傑志新中場說：「我很高興加入傑志的大家庭，急不及待認識我的新隊友。」他將於新球季穿起37號球衣作賽，對此他解釋：「這是我初登職業賽場時穿的號碼，因此對我有獨特的意義，感謝隊友把它讓給我。」而原穿著37號的小將唐曉峰將改穿36號。
球員檔案：
巴爾拿 JOSÉ RAÚL BAENA
出生日期：1989年3月2日
位置：防守中場
身高：181cm
體重：75kg
曾效力球會： 2007-2013 愛斯賓奴
2013-2017 華歷簡奴
2017-2018 CF格蘭納達
2018-2019 墨爾本勝利
2019-2020 艾杜美圖斯
Kitchee confirms the new signing of the La Masia Graduate José Raúl Baena today. The Spanish defensive midfielder Baena will be registered as the “Designated Foreign Player”.
Baena was brought through the FC Barcelona’s esteemed “La Masia” system that produced Andrés Iniesta, Lionel Messi, Cesc Fàbregas, etc. In 2007, Baena joined the Barça’s neighbor RCD Espanyol and worked with Mauricio Pochettino for 4 Seasons before joining Rayo Vallecano in 2013. The Spanish box-to-box midfielder successfully compiled more than 150 appearances in the La Liga for 8 Seasons. In 2017/2018 Season, Baena joined Granada CF as Team Captain and transferred to Melbourne Victory on a one-year contract. Baena managed 24 appearances in the A-league, including 3 appearances in the Asian Champions League Group Stage. In 2019/2020, Baena moved to Greece and joined Atromitos FC in the Super League.
Mr. Alex Chu, Director of Football of Kitchee, has high hope for this Spanish playmaker that he can lead the team to a higher level, “Baena is an experienced box-to-box midfielder who possesses excellent leadership skill and powerful shooting ability. The coaching team and I are looking forward to integrating him into the Club. I have great confidence that he, as an example of professionalism, can lead by example and be a vital role model for our young players.”
Baena has arrived in Hong Kong on 25 November and got tested negative for COVID-19 after two weeks of quarantine. He has been incorporating a full-body workout into his quarantine training to keep up his fitness level. “I am delighted to join the Kitchee family and can’t wait to train with my new teammates.” Baena expressed. The La Masia graduate will take on the No.37 jersey and said, “It was the first number that I picked and wore in my professional career, which means a lot to me personally. For this, I would like to express my gratitude to my teammate Connor, who has vacated his number for me.” The original No. 37 Connor Tong has switched his to No. 36.
Player’s Profile
JOSÉ RAÚL BAENA
Date of Birth: 2 March 1989
Position: Defensive Midfielder
Height: 181cm
Weight: 75kg
Previous Clubs: 2007-2013 RCD Espanyol
2013-2017 Rayo Vallecano
2017-2018 Granada CF
2018-2019 Melbourne Victory
2019-2020 Atromitos FC
KITCHEE WELCOMES LA MASIA GRADUATE RAÚL BAENA
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