I-League 2017: East Bengal said to be in talks with Nigerian forward Emeka Darlington

Emeka Darlington
Emeka Darlington

After East Bengal forward Willis Plaza sustained a suspected hamstring injury and due to a poor show by fellow striker Charles De Souza, East Bengal are said to be looking at Abahani Dhaka forward Emeka Darlington as a possible.

The January transfer window for I-League and Indian Super League opens on January 15 and teams across India would look to add some firepower to their ranks for the remainder of the season.

Charles De Souza made his East Bengal debut against his former side Chennai City FC and also scored a goal. He came on to replace Willis Plaza in his second game against Neroca FC but had a dismal performance. Fans have been fuming on social media and the technical committee of East Bengal is said to be looking for a replacement for the Brazilian to compensate for the injured Plaza and the dismal show of Charles.

Darryl Duffy move also a possibility?

Sources close to the club have suggested that the Red and Golds have been in initial talks with Emeka Darlington for a potential replacement for Charles De Souza.

Emeka Darlington spent his entire senior career in Bangladesh. He was snapped up by Seikh Jamal Dhanmondi in 2013. He got his first taste of Indian football when he scored against Mohun Bagan in the Bhutan Kings Cup in a 5-3 win over the Mariners in 2014. He is now plying his trade in Bangladesh Premier League for Dhaka Abahani.

The Red and Golds are also said to be eyeing former Mohun Bagan and Salgaocar striker Darrel Duffy for a possible loan move in January.

After stints with several English and Scottish Clubs, Duffy entered India in 2013 through Salgaocar. He played for the Greens in 49 matches and found the net 32 times in the I-League and the Federation Cup.

Duffy was loaned to FC Goa in 2015 and he appeared for the Gaurs in 4 matches. He got his first taste of Kolkata football when he was snapped up by Mohun Bagan in 2016, and made 17 appearances for the Mariners, scoring 8 times before returning to Scotland.

The 33-year-old is now with St. Mirren which plays in the Scottish Premiership and has appeared twice for them. His contract expires in June with the Scottish side and he can only be brought to India through a loan deal as it is unlikely that East Bengal will pay his release clause for the remainder of the season.

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Edited by Soumo Ghosh
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