APOEL defender Angel Garcia seeks Cypriot citizenship

APOEL football player Angel Garcia has publicly expressed his intention to obtain a Cypriot passport and represent the Cyprus national team. Speaking to the media on August 16, 2026, following a friendly match against Anorthosis, the Spanish left-back confirmed he has already initiated the legal process to acquire citizenship. Garcia has resided in Cyprus for five years, meeting the residency requirements for naturalization.

During his interview, Garcia reflected on his transition to APOEL, expressing satisfaction with his new team and his cooperation with head coach Nikos Papadopoulos. He emphasized the squad's quick adaptation to the coach’s tactical philosophy and optimism for a successful season. Beyond the personal goal of international eligibility, the player noted that obtaining a passport would also provide significant strategic advantages for his club by freeing up a foreign player slot.

As the formal application process has already commenced, the player intends to follow through with the necessary steps to finalize his status. His move is widely seen as a positive development for both his career trajectory and potential involvement with the national team, provided the administrative requirements are fulfilled in the near future.