I-League 2018-19: Gokulam Kerala sign Trinidad & Tobago striker Marcus Joseph

Gokulam Kerala have signed Trinidad and Tobago striker Marcus Joseph for the remainder of the season, according to sources. The player came on Tuesday morning and is expected to make his debut for the club against Churchill Brothers on Thursday.

Joseph was in sublime form for Trinidad and Tobago pro-league club W Connection FC, scoring 18 goals in the league to help the club win the title. He scored a hat-trick in the last match against North-East Stars to become the top scorer of the league.

The 27-year-old player started his career with United Petronin FC and moved to Joe Public FC in 2010. After spending two seasons there, he joined T and TEC Sports Club in 2012. He played at Point Fortin and Central FC before joining W Connection on 2017.

He is a prolific striker and has found the net almost regularly for all the clubs. He scored an astounding 31 goals in just 43 matches for Point Fortin. Besides the roles of a striker, he can also double up as a left winger.

Nicknamed ‘Lobo’, the player has participated in many age-group tournaments for his country. He played the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup in South Korea and the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt.

He made his debut for his country on March 3, 2013 and has so far played 16 matches, scoring one goal. Trinidad and Tobago will play in CONCACAF Gold Cup this year in this year and Joseph intends to cement his spot in the national team.

In a recent interview, he had said, “I would like to be always on the (national) team as a starting player. As you can see, I’m a goal-scorer. I hope the coach could see and help me to better myself and continue to work with me, for me to score goals.”

This year, he has played regularly for his country including in the games against Guadeloupe, Martinique and Panama. He last match in national colours was against UAE on September 6, which Trinidad won 2-0.

An injury in October ruled him out for one month and harmed his chances in the race to become the top scorer. But after returning from injury, Joseph managed to show the same vein of form.

Gokulam have been struggling this season without a proper striker since they sold Henry Kisekka to Mohun Bagan before the start of the I-League. The Malabarians signed former Kerala Blasters man Antonio German. But German quit midway into the season after posting a cryptic message on his Instagram.

Gokulam then roped in Joel Sunday but the player failed to find the net for a single time. The Malabarians have now lost three consecutive matches. It needs to be seen whether Joseph can change their fortune.

If he makes his debut against Churchill, Joseph will face two of his countrymen Willis Plaza and Anthony Wolfe.