Kolkata: Former FC Goa midfielder Trinidade Goncalves has been roped in by ISL debutants Jamshedpur FC for the fourth edition of the cash-rich tournament.
The Brazilian had earlier played under Zico at FC Goa in the last season of the ISL. He originally was a part of the defensive unit of Brazilian club Flamengo from where he was bought by the Goa franchise but Zico, impressed by his pace and dribbling skills made him play as a midfielder.
Meanwhile, FC Goa has signed Spanish striker Adrian Colunga on a free transfer. With this, Sergio Lobero’s men have completed their eighth and final foreign signing for the upcoming edition of the ISL.
Earlier, they had also secured the services of former Barcelona B player Eduardo Bedia Peláez. A graduate of La Liga club Racing De Santander’s youth academy, he made his debut for the senior team in 2008 before joining Barcelona B for two years in 2013. He is the second Barcelona B player after Sergei Juste Marin to have joined the Goa franchise.
Two-time champions Atletico De Kolkata, who have been relatively quiet in the transfer market after signing a blockbuster figure in the form of Robbie Keane have secured the services of three players for the upcoming ISL.
Goalkeeper Jussi Jääskeläinen, a former English Premier League star, has been signed by the defending champions along with two other Indian players.
The 42-year old Jääskeläinen has a wealth of experience as he has represented clubs like Bolton Wanderers, Wigan Athletic and West Ham United in the EPL and also has won 56 international caps for Finland.
Indian midfielder Darren Caldiera, who had trained with Spanish club Valencia CF’s U-18 team for a year has too been signed by the Kolkata franchise. Caldeira has been a part of I-League clubs like Mumbai, Bengaluru FC and Chennai City and the 29-year old would be a good addition to the side, since they already have a abundance of domestic talent.
Nallappan Mohanraj is the other Indian to have been signed by the defending ISL champions. Mohanraj had been a part of the ATK team in the 2015 season where they reached the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, Mumbai City FC have completed the signing of Cameroonian international Achille Emana for ISL 2017-2018. Emana has bags of experience with him, playing against clubs like Real Betis and Toulouse.
Also, NorthEast United FC have roped in one foreign player in the form of Guinea-Bissau centre-back Sambinha. The 24-year old had earlier played for the B team of Portugal club Sporting Lisbon.
Joao de Deus, the new head coach of the franchise has played one of the most crucial roles in Sambinha’s move to the ISL from Sporting Lisbon. NorthEast United have bought 50% of the player rights to bring about a transfer. Sambinha is the ISL club’s only foreign recruit so far.
His versatility combined with his ability to play as defensive midfielder would be of a huge help to NorthEast United for the upcoming edition of the ISL.