I-League 2018-19: Churchill Brothers could sign Cavin Lobo on loan from ATK

I-League club Churchill Brothers are all set to sign Cavin Lobo on loan from ATK. The midfielder will join the Goan side for the rest of the season. This will be the third stint for Lobo in his native state, having played for Sporting Clube de Goa and Dempo earlier.

Lobo, who signed for ATK at the start of the season, has never found the confidence of the coach. The attacking midfielder has played only one match, their season opener against Kerala Blasters, when he came on in the second half as a substitute and spent 16 minutes on the field.

ATK coach Steve Coppell has shuffled his team’s midfield so many times during the season but never gave Lobo another chance to prove his talent. It has been learnt that the player is frustrated with the continuous ignorance and looking for a new club.

Churchill, who are second in the I-League table, want to make the best of their opportunity this time. In that case, Lobo’s inclusion will give them a major boost in their bid to claim the title.

Lobo is a very creative midfielder, with nimble feet, and the ability to get past opponents. He is someone who can control the speed of the game, and will compliment Churchill's exciting attacking talent, which includes players like Willis Plaza, Dawda Ceesay and Khalid Aucho.

ATK, who recently signed former Bengaluru FC man Edu Garcia, have plenty of midfielders in their ranks and it is unlikely that Coppell would give another chance to Lobo when the league resumes on January 25.

Lobo started his career with Sporting Club the Goa, who were playing in the 2nd division I-League at that time. He joined reigning I-League champions Dempo after his impressive performance with Goa in the Santosh Trophy. He spent a season with now-defunct I-League side Mumbai FC.

Lobo followed the footsteps of his predecessors when he signed for East Bengal in 2012. With his prowess, he became an instant hit with the Kolkata giants. Lobo spent a season on loan to ATK (formerly Atletico de Kolkata) and Kerala Blasters.

He scored two goals in the second half against FC Goa on October 2014 to inspire a memorable comeback for ATK. With that, he became the first Indian player to score a brace in an ISL match. Overall, he has played 13 matches in ISL, scoring three goals and also has an assist to his name.