I-League: Joaquim Abranches joins East Bengal on a two-year deal

Joaquim Abranches joins East Bengal on a two-year deal

Joaquim Abranches has ended his nine-year association with Dempo and signed a two-year contract with East Bengal, a source close to the Kolkata club confirmed to Sportskeeda on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old had agreed personal terms with East Bengal last season also, but was convinced to remain in Goa with Dempo by former head coach Armando Colaco. This time, with Armando leaving the club, Joaquim was also released by the five-time Indian champions and the attacker decided to sign for the red-and-gold brigade.

Joaquim, who can operate as a striker and also as a wide midfielder on both flanks, has been one of the most consistent Indian attackers in recent seasons and was the joint second highest Indian scorer in the 2012-13 I-League with six goals.

The arrival of Joaquim casts further doubt over the future of Robin Singh, who has requested East Bengal for a release, while Manandeep Singh has already left the club. With James Moga having also joined the Kolkata giants, it would be difficult for Joaquim to start upfront, but his versatility should give him some chances in the first team.

Down to two

Meanwhile, East Bengal’s head coach post is now down to two candidates – Dutchman John Van Loen and Argentinean Rodolfo Zapata. Van Loen represented the Netherlands at the 1990 FIFA World Cup and last worked as an assistant at Dutch Eredivisie outfit Utrecht while Zapata, who was also approached by East Bengal back in 2009, has worked in Nigeria, Canada and South Africa and is currently doing coaching clinics in USA.

It was learnt that senior East Bengal officials were having a meeting on Tuesday evening to decide their head coach, although an official announcement is only likely to be made later this week.