We would like to congratulate senior team duo Gabriel Mendoza and Dallas Odle, who were both invited for pro trial with Tercera División side CD Ciudad de Lucena.
Founded in 2008, Lucena have progressed through the Spanish league system, from tier seven to Tercera, where they have spent the last three seasons.
Gabri, a senior team goalkeeper for CD Alumñécar City, is now heading into his third season and has established himself as a prolific shot-stopper at the club.
The Venezuelan-native spent time playing in Málaga prior to joining and took the opportunity to work his way up from the CDAC Atlético team up into the first team – playing a part in last season’s run to the play-off final.
George Jermy, Director at FC Málaga City Academy, spoke about the hard work Gabri has put in during his time with the club: “For Gabriel, I am completely made up and it's a three-year journey with hours of sweat and hard work really coming to the forefront.
“He played a huge and integral part in last season's play-off adventure, which was his real breakthrough into senior men's football – he's followed this up by coming back in great shape and reaping the rewards as seen.”
Meanwhile, Dallas has been in our set-up for a little under two months and has quickly settled into life with the Academy in the south of Spain.
The 19-year-old goalkeeper, from Scottsdale, Arizona, has an impressive playing background having played with the Real Salt Lake Academy for two years and the San Jose Earthquakes Academy for three years before making the move to Europe.
Jermy added: “In complete contrast, Dallas has come in hot of the plane, entering his first ever period here at the academy - he has great pedigree following time at MLS academies, including San Jose Earthquakes and came heavily recommended from a personal friend and former MLS star Andrew Weber.
“He's an extremely exciting young keeper and will be a big test going in with the 'big boys' so early, but we’re excited to see how he goes and sure it will be a huge piece in his development pathway.”
Gabri and Dallas’ trials follow on from two other sessions for our players at the start of the 2020-21 season. This is the third pro trial this season after senior team player Zaid Patel trained and played with CD Loja.
Adding to this, FCMC U19 striker Samuel Dweh had a successful trial and was signed by División de Honor Juvenil side, CF Alhendín Balompié Juvenil.
Jermy spoke about how the reputation of the club continues to grow: “It’s amazing to see the huge interest that is really being generated in such a short period of the 2020/21 season. This is the third pro trial at Tercera level following Zaid training and playing with CD LOJA.
“It’s a real testament to the years of hard work from so many people to build the reputation we are now so proud to have. This goes on in a twofold way. Clubs now know really who we are and what we bring to the table and the same from a player perspective, which is allowing us to attract and work with a really, really high-calibre player.”