The defensive midfielder ends his stint with Auckland City after just half a season with the O-League champions and leaves a significant hole in coach Ramon Tribulietx’s squad.
Dinamo Tblisi, who play in the Georgia top flight, headed off one club from the J-League and another from Brazil in the race for Andreu’s signature and Tribulietx says the loss of the former Sporting Gijon player was inevitable.
“Andreu has only been with us for half a season but I think he has left a good impression,” Tribulietx says.
“It was only a matter of time before he picked up a fulltime contract. It’s been a pleasure to have a player of his pedigree and quality in our squad and I would like to wish him all the best for the future.”
Dinamo Tblisi was one of the biggest clubs in the former Soviet Union and is coached by Spanish manager Alex Garcia.
Fellow Spaniard Andreu was lured to the ASB Premiership after starring for Polish outfit Polonia Warsaw last season and joins a club with UEFA Europa League aspirations.
“I have enjoyed my time with Auckland City but my aim was always to return to Europe if the right opportunity came along,” he says.
The 28-year-old delivered a top quality performance in Auckland City’s 2-0 defeat to Kashiwa Reysol at last month’s FIFA Club World Cup in Japan.
“Auckland City has a number of very talented players and the family atmosphere at the club was different to what I have experienced previously. I wish the players and coaching staff all the very best for the rest of the ASB Premiership and O-League seasons,” he says.
With Andreu leaving the club, Tribulietx says opportunities for players on the fringe of the squad to step up will now arise.
“We have a lot of depth and quality in our squad and we are still very much in pursuit of trophies and a return to the FIFA Club World Cup at the end of the year,” he says.
Auckland City’s first match of the year is against Canterbury United in the ASB Premiership on Saturday at Kiwitea Street from 2pm.
The defending Oceania champions then have another home game when they host Amicale in the O-League on January 18.

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