Kaya FC-Iloilo Welcomes Back Robert Lopez Mendy The Senegalese fan favorite is back home where he belongs.

Kaya FC-Iloilo is excited to announce the return of a club hero: Robert Lopez Mendy. The beloved striker is donning the yellow and black once more, looking to add his scoring punch to a side that has big ambitions both domestically and continentally.

Lopez Mendy was last seen in a Kaya shirt hoisting the 2018 Copa Paulino Alcantara trophy, following his game-winning assist to Jovin Bedic in the waning minutes of extra time of the Cup Final—capping off an exceptional season for the frontman. He finished as the tournament’s top goalscorer, which helped bring silverware to the club in their first year after relocating to Iloilo.

“It’s nostalgic, it’s like coming home after a long, long time and remembering the good old days. I have never felt at home anywhere else but here. This is one of the best decisions I have made this year so far. It definitely feels good to be back!” Robert proclaimed.

The incoming Philippines Football League season and AFC Champions League qualifiers are looming large, with the 2022 CPA slated to start as early as March followed by the ACL Preliminary Round scheduled on March 8th. The forward revealed his high expectations for himself and the club heading into his second go-around with Kaya.

“[I expect] more wins, that’s for sure. With the lineup that we have, it’s not impossible to win more trophies and to put the team where it has never been before—being at the top, both domestically and internationally,” he stated.

Since departing from the club in early 2019, Lopez Mendy has gotten to travel around Southeast Asia—enjoying stints with UiTM FC in Malaysia, and PKR Svay Rieng in Cambodia. Kaya President & GM Paul Tolentino weighed in on Robert’s homecoming, noting both the football and personal factors that went into the decision.

“I’m glad he’s finally made it back home to Kaya. Mendy is a player we know very well and has enjoyed some of his best seasons with the club. It was exciting to see him venture out into Malaysia and Cambodia, but he made it clear he wanted to settle back down in the Philippines with his family,” Tolentino said.

“We are very excited to have his positive energy, work ethic and goal scoring abilities back at Kaya,” he added. “We can’t wait to get started and I hope it doesn’t take too long to get all the new pieces integrated.”

After spending the past couple of years racking up experience with different clubs in different countries, Robert’s excited to put all of that on display for the fans this season.

“I’m still the same Mendy with bits and pieces of new experiences and knowledge, and still the same Mendy that gives 110% when I’m out there on the field. But, I am also hoping to be a better version of myself this time because, I believe that there’s always room for improvement,” the striker explained.

“I’m looking forward to more wins and goals, I am happy to be home! Una Kaya!”