Mumbai: East Bengal striker Ranti Martins may look to play in Malaysia in the upcoming season. The striker, who rose to prominence through his superb show with Dempo Sports Club, was contracted with the Kolkata giants (though he is on loan to ISL outfit FC Goa) since 2014 before leaving the club only recently.
According to a report in Goal.com, Martins is in talks with Malaysian outfit Penang FC and is expected to decide in a couple of days’ time. The Nigerian footballer is believed to be in talks with few I-League clubs too, but would like to play abroad as the I-League starts only in next January.
The 29-year-old striker started his career with Ghanaian club Faisal Babes, before moving to Dempo where he took time to prove himself. In two years (2012-14), Martins scored 147 goals in 160 appearances for the Goans before leaving for United Sports Club (it was earlier known as Prayag United).
His performance with Prayag United was also superb scoring 30 goals in 40 matches. Martins tried his luck with Rangdajied United also, where he scored eight goals in as many matches to be on the East Bengal radar the following season.
Quite naturally, Martins is the most sought-after player in the sub-continent after having emerged the highest scorer in last five of the six I-league competitions. He marked his presence most in the 2011-12 season when he scored 32 goals, a record that is still out of bounds for any striker playing in India.