Nacho Novo

Nacho joins the club following a spell Carolina Railhawks in the North American Soccer League. However, he is best known for the 6 phenomenally successful years he spent with Rangers in the SPL.

 

During his time at Ibrox Nacho made 253 appearances for the Light Blues, scoring 72 goals. Among his most famous goals were the only goal of the game away to Hibs that clinched the Championship on “Helicopter Sunday” 2005, a long range wonder strike to give Rangers a 1 v 0 win over Falkirk in the 2009 Scottish Cup Final at Hampden Park, and perhaps most famously the winning penalty against Fiorentina in Florence to win the UEFA Cup semi final in 2008. He played in the subsequent UEFA Cup Final against Zenit St Petersburg in Manchester

 

While at Rangers Nacho won 3 Championship winner's medals, a Scottish Cup Winners Cup medal and 3 League Cup winner's medals. In 2014 he received the highest possible personal accolade at Ibrox when Rangers supporters voted him into the Rangers Hall of Fame. He also won a Polish Cup winners medal in 2012 when playing for Legia Warsaw.

 

 

 

Apart from his standout years at Rangers, Nacho has also played in La Liga in his native Spain for Sporting Gijon and Huesca, for Legia Warsaw in Poland, Dundee and Raith Rovers in Scotland, and Carlisle United.

 

Manager Alan Kernaghan, who was a coach at Rangers during Nacho’s playing career there, said today: “Nacho played at Rangers while I was a coach there. I’ve seen him play on many occasions and I have always admired his work ethic and professionalism both on and off the pitch. We need experience and leadership in the changing room and off the pitch and I’m confident Nacho’s obvious enjoyment of being part of the team unit will be crucial in helping us push forward this season and to secure the progress we all want to see.

 

 

Throughout his career Nacho has always proven to be a player who has thrived on the big occasion and on the expectations associated with playing for a big club. He has consistently excelled and scored goals in high profile games and high pressure situations. That is essential at a club like Glentoran.

 

 

In addition to what he brings on the pitch as a player I also believe that Nacho – along with our other more experienced signings this window – will give our younger players the guidance, and encouragement they need and that he will lead by example. He will be based in Northern Ireland and will train with his team mates 3 nights each week.

 

 

This and our other signings demonstrate are a clear sign of intent from this club as we seek all work together to re-establish Glentoran at the upper end of the NIFL Premiership and compete successfully in the cup competitions.” 

 

Nacho: “I would like to thank the Chairman and Directors of Glentoran FC for giving me this opportunity to play for such a famous club with a long and proud history in East Belfast and beyond. I look forward to helping Glentoran FC become successful again and would particularly thank Simon Kitchen (Commercial director) and Bill Peden (football agent) for working so hard to make this move possible. Bless them all!!”

 

 

Chairman Stephen Henderson: “This signing would not have been possible without the most generous financial assistance from key sponsors and supporters. The manager and Board of Directors would like to most sincerely thank the following:

 

Freelance GSC

Bet McLean

Fonacab

The Streat, Ballyhackamore

Reid Black, Solicitors

Internet GSC

Hillfoot GSC

Ballymacarrett GSC

Castlereagh GSC

Dundonald GSC

Raven GSC

Zace Embroidery and Printing

 

We also owe a debt of gratitude to our Commercial Director, Simon Kitchen for his amazing efforts in successfully securing this funding at such short notice"