Kerala Blasters on Friday announced their first foreign signing of the season from the fourth tier of Spanish football. Koldo Obieta Alberdi will join the Blasters on a one-year contract from Real Union, which competes in the Segunda Federacion.

Obieta is a likely replacement for another 31-year-old Spanish striker, Jesus Jimenez, who parted ways with the club in July, allegedly due to the impasse over the start of the next Indian Super League (ISL) season.

Jimenez had a fruitful stint with the Blasters, scoring 11 goals from 18 matches since joining from Polish first division side Nieciecza.

The Blasters said Obieta has 'proven goal scoring instincts'. He 'combines physical presence with aerial threat, good positioning, and finishing skills both inside the box and on transitions', the club said in a press note.

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Blasters' Sporting Director Karolis Skinkys said: "We believe his qualities will give us more options in attack, and we look forward to bringing him into the team and seeing the qualities he can add to our attack."

Since making his senior debut in 2012, Obieta played for various Spanish sides, including Zamudio, SD Amorebieta, CD Tudelano, and AD Alcorcón. Obieta is expected to join the Blasters' pre-season camp in Goa.

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The ISL season, which was scheduled to begin in September, has been put on hold due to a standoff between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and its commercial partner. 

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