Kerala Blasters ink two-year deal with Jimenez

Kerala Blasters FC's new Spanish forward Jesus Jimenez will be with the Indian Super League (ISL) club till 2026.

The 30-year-old joins Blasters after spending a season with OFI Crete in the Greek top division league. 

Jimenez began his career in the youth system of Club Deportivo Leganes (CD Leganes), where he spent two seasons with the reserve team. Jimenez also had stints with Agrupacion Deportiva Union Adarve (2013-14), Alcorcon B (2014-15), Atletico Pinto (2015) and Club Deportivo Illescas (2015-16). 

The striker’s breakthrough came in the Spanish Third Division at FC Talavera. In the 2016-17 season, he scored 26 league goals in 33 matches, helping the club win promotion to Segunda B. During his two seasons with Talavera, Jimenez scored 36 goals in a combined 68 appearances across all competitions. 

The 6-foot, 176-pound player then joined Polish first-division side Gornik Zabrze. In his four seasons with Gornik, he made 134 appearances, scored 43 goals, and recorded 26 assists across all competitions (Ekstraklasa, Polish Cup, and Europa League). 

Before his stint in Greece, Jimenez played for FC Dallas and Toronto FC in the MLS. He recorded nine goals and six assists during this time. 

Blasters Sporting Director Karolis Skynkis expressed his enthusiasm for the signing. “Jesus is a fantastic addition to our squad. His experience in various leagues, combined with his goal-scoring prowess, will significantly strengthen our attacking options. We are confident that Jesus will play a crucial role in our campaign and help us achieve success this season.”

Jimenez also shared his excitement: "I am thrilled to start this new chapter with Kerala Blasters FC. The passion of the fans and the club’s vision align perfectly with my ambitions. I look forward to contributing to the team's success and creating lasting memories both on and off the pitch."