CEBUANO striker Ivan Ouano was one of the new signings announced by United City FC (UCFC) for its upcoming stint in the AFC Champions League and the Philippine Football League (PFL) Copa Paulino Alcantara.
The 22-year-old Ouano transferred to UCFC from the Azkals Development Team (ADT). He’ll bolster UCFC’s offense following the departure of star striker Bienvenido Marañon, who left in the off season to play for Malaysian club Johor Darul Ta’zim FC.
Ouano is coming off a stint at the AFF Under-23 Championship in Cambodia, wherein he logged two goals in the tournament.
UCFC also signed former ADT defender Simen Lyngbo, South African center back Alan Robertson, former Global Cebu FC forward Paolo Salenga, Cameroonian Sam Junior and Tajik midfielder Amirbek Juraboev.
UCFC also announced six returnees to the squad from last season—goalkeeper Anthony Pinthus, forward Mike Ott, Cebuano defender Jordan Jarvis, goalkeeper Jun Badelic, defender William Grierson and winger Hikaru Minegishi.
UCFC will kick off its campaign in the Copa Paulino Alcantara on March 22 against Maharlika Manila FC. The tournament will run until May 23.
UCFC will then kick off its campaign in the AFC Champions League in April. UCFC is in Group G along with Thailand’s BG Pathum United, Australia’s Melbourne City FC and Korea’s Jeonnam Dragons.
UCFC’s first match in the Champions League is against Jeonnam Dragons on April 15.