Espanyol captain set for Al Rayyan move

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Wednesday, July 1st 2015 05:53 AM

DOHA: Spanish football club Espanyol have confirmed their captain Sergio Garcia is set to join Qatar Stars League (QSL) outfit Al Rayyan, news reports claimed on Monday. The 32-year-old is set to address a media conference on Tuesday when he is expected to announce his new move, reports added. Garcia has spent the past five years at the Periquitos, and helped them to a 10th-place finish in La Liga last season. The 32-year-old, who began his career with Barcelona, joined Espanyol from Betis in 2010 and has been a key player for them in the last five years, scoring 14 league goals last season. Garcia, who has also appeared for Levante and Zaragoza, was part of the Spain squad that won Euro 2008. On 31 May 2008 he made his debut for the national side, coming on as an 83rd-minute substitute for David Silva in a 2–1 friendly win against Peru in Huelva. On 18 June, Garcia earned his first competitive cap, playing for the full 90 minutes against Greece in Spain's third and final group D game in Euro 2008. Garcia is set to become the second La Liga player after Xavi to move to Qatar for the 2015-16 season that will commence from September 11. Al Rayyan, who were demoted to the Second Division at the end of 2013-14 season, were promoted to QSL at the end of the 2014-15 season.