Javi Marquez: the NASL will definitely help me switch gears and stay competitive. (Photo courtesy of the Cosmos)

The Cosmos bolstered their midfield Friday, signing Spanish midfielder Javi Márquez for the North American Soccer League spring season.

As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Javi is an exceptional player who will bring great experience and quality to our midfield,” Cosmos head coach and sporting director Giovanni Savarese said. “We look forward to seeing him on the field, as he will make our roster even more competitive.”

The 30-year-old Márquez was a product of La Liga’s RCD Espanyol youth system, where we won one Copa del Rey Juvenil and the Liga de Tercera División title in 2009, as he was Espanyol B’s top goal-scorer. He then joined the senior team, playing for four more seasons. While in Espanyol, Márquez was a member of a Catalunya Cup championship team.

He made 56 appearances between Mallorca and Elche La Liga, scoring five goals. In 2014, he was signed by Granada CF and played 56 matches for the Andalusian team as he eventually became the team’s captain.

Márquez also represented the Catalonian national team twice.

“I am very happy to join the New York Cosmos,” Marquez said. “I’ve play my whole career in Spain and joining a historic club in the NASL will definitely help me switch gears and stay competitive. I look forward to join the team in preseason and start working towards the 2017 championship.”

The Cosmos travel to Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium to take on Puerto Rico FC in their NASL season opener. Their home opener is set at MCU Park in Brooklyn against Miami FC Saturday, April 1.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.