Semen Padang Bolsters Attack Line by Signing Former Athletic Bilbao European Striker

Semen Padang FC continues to demonstrate its seriousness in facing the second round of the BRI Super League 2025/2026 Season. The club nicknamed Kabau Sirah has officially strengthened its attacking line by signing Spanish player Guillermo Fernandez Hierro, who has experience playing for several European clubs.

The former Athletic Bilbao striker has arrived in Padang City and is ready to join the team's training sessions. His presence is expected to provide a boost in quality and add firepower to Semen Padang FC, which is struggling to escape the relegation zone.

"Guillermo Fernandez Hierro is already in Padang and will soon Train with his teammates," said Semen Padang FC Commissioner Braditi Moulevey in Padang City, Sunday, January 18, 2026.

Braditi emphasized that the recruitment of Hierro is not merely about adding squad depth, but rather part of management's strategic steps to turn things around in the second half of the competition. Currently, Semen Padang FC is still stuck in the lower part of the BRI Super League Standings and needs significant changes to improve performance.

Besides technical aspects, management is also moving quickly to complete administrative matters for the Foreign Players. Braditi revealed that most requirements have been met, including processing official documents so all foreign players can be fielded as soon as possible.

He is optimistic that all paperwork will be completed before the competition resumes. To date, three Limited Stay Permit Cards (KITAS) for foreign players have been successfully processed.

Moulevey hopes that the recruited foreign players can be fielded immediately in the second round's opening match when Semen Padang FC hosts Bali United on Saturday (24/1). This match is considered crucial as Kabau Sirah is still in 17th place in the temporary standings with 10 points.

"So, when the first match of the second round takes place, we hope we can already use the foreign players," he said.

Guillermo Fernandez Hierro is a player born on May 23, 1993, standing 1.81 meters tall. The Spanish striker has extensive experience in European competitions, having played for Athletic Bilbao, Club Deportivo Leganes, Elche, Racing Santander, CD Numancia, and even had a stint in Asia with North East United FC.

His experience playing at various competition levels is expected to enable Hierro to adapt quickly to the BRI Super League, while also becoming a difference-maker in Semen Padang FC's front line.

Meanwhile, Semen Padang FC's President Director, Hermawan Ardiyanto, revealed that management is indeed conducting a major squad overhaul ahead of the competition's second round. This step was taken following the team's subpar results in the first half of the season.

"In this second round, most players are new players. We conducted a total evaluation for the sake of improving the team's performance," he said.

With the updated squad composition and the presence of experienced players like Guillermo Fernandez Hierro, Semen Padang FC hopes to quickly bounce back and distance itself from the threat of relegation in the remainder of the BRI Super League 2025/2026 season.