Kolkata: Amidst all the turmoil and despair that prevailed at the Mohun Bagan club after a streak of disappointing results, another shocking news came to the fore after club talisman Sony Norde decided to part ways, following a knee injury that has kept him on the sidelines for majority of the season.
The Haitian international in his four years stint with the club has won all the major domestic trophies that includes the I-League title in his debut season (2014-15) and also the Federation Cup in 2015.
But could not surpass expectations this season after suffering an injury in his right knee in the 5-1 win over Churchill Brothers. He featured only once since then and now has decided to terminate his contract with the club after mutual consent with the management.
Norde is also expected to call a press conference on 22nd January to announce his decision and has the club officials by his side.
“Sony came to us with a sporting attitude and said that he needs to have surgery on his knee. He wanted us to release him after the Kolkata Derby as he doesn’t want to affect the morale of the side. He also said that he won’t take a single penny in compensation from the club for the early release. He wants to give us sufficient time to find a replacement before it’s too late. We will find his replacement as soon as possible,” said one of the club members quoted Khelnow.
The knee problem had been troubling him since last season after which he had consulted orthopaedic surgeon Dr Anant Joshi in Mumbai conceding the injury but was then withheld from the surgery and informed that he (Norde) could get back to prime fitness through rehabilitation.
But now with things getting out of control for the 28 year-old, he has decided to fly to Argentina on the 23rd of January to have surgery on his right knee which will take place on February 3. Post-surgery Norde is slated to undergo his rehabilitation at the Boca Juniors academy for the next three months.
Meanwhile Bagan have also been in talks with former ATK and Chennaiyin FC striker Fikru Teferra, to replace Sony in the squad.