Borja | heroisl

BORJA FERNÁNDEZ

PRE-ISL

Born in Ourense, Galicia, Borja joined Real Madrid's academy in 1996 and, after impressive displays for the C and B-teams, was promoted to the main squad in 2003. During his first season with Real Madrid he played 24 games, but the following season, 2004-05, he only got eight apperances, mostly as a late substitute.

Unable to break into the first team, Borja was loaned to RCD Mallorca for the 2005–06 campaign, where he also played sparingly. He subsequently joined Segunda División club Real Valladolid, being instrumental in the side's top flight promotion after a three-year hiatus and continuing to start regularly in the subsequent first division seasons.

He signed a four-year contract with Getafe in 2010 after Valladolid was relegated from La Liga. In August 2011 Borja returned to the second division and joined Deportivo de La Coruña, with Rubén Pérez heading in the opposite direction. He subsequently returned to Getafe, scoring his first official goal for the club on 16 March 2013.

ISL

2014 Season

On 4 July 2014, at the age of 33, Borja moved abroad for the first time, becoming the first

signing for Atlético de Kolkata of the Indian Super League and the very first signing in the

league ever. Upon his arrival he stated it was time for a new adventure in his career, despite

interest from La Liga clubs.

"I'm really excited to have joined Atletico de Kolkata. I am looking forward to my visit to India

very soon."

He was joined by a total of four Spanish players in Kolkata and was also one of the bigger

"non-marquee" signings in the league. He described his stint in the Indian Super League as

"I chose this project because I craved a new challenge football-wise. It’s possibly one of the

last opportunities to go abroad and, why not something new for me to live? Being with

several Spanish teammates outside our country, start a new league freshly created will be

something interesting and that’s where we're at."

It was no suprise that Borja became a key player for Atletico de Kolkata. In the opening game against Mumbai City on October 12, 2014, he scored the second goal with a stunning volley. The following game against NorthEast United he was sent off after receiving two yellow cards and therefore missed the next fixture. All in all Borja played 16 out of 17 games and played a pivotal role for Atlético as it went on to win the championship, defeating Kerala Blasters in the final.

POST-ISL

On 31 December 2014 Borja returned to Spain, after agreeing to a six-month contract with first top flight club SD Eibar. He played most of the games remaining during the season and scored his only goal against his former club Getafe on May 17, 2015. SD Eibar survived narrowly and ended on 18th place.

ISL

2015 Season

On 17 June, it was announced that Borja was retained by Atlético de Kolkata, thus making him available for the second edition of the Indian Super League. In the press release Atletico de Kolkata announced they were delighted with Borja's return.

"After signing Iain Edward Hume and retaining two international recruits Josemi and Oftense Nato for this season, the team has now decided to keep one of its star player from the last season, hoping for an encore during the upcoming season."