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Kerala Blasters have signed Joao Coimbra for the second season of the Indian Super League. The team co-owned by Sachin Tendulkar will be looking to win the trophy this year after losing to Atletico de Kolkata in the finals.
Coimbra will be leaving Romanian team Rapid Bucuresti after only making 12 appearances for them, to play for the Blasters. The 29-year-old was a product of Benfica’s youth system and made his debut for the first team back in 2006.
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He played as a midfielder in Portugal for seven years and featured in clubs like Gil Vicente, Estoril, and Nacional, after which he joined Rapid Bucuresti.
The Portuguese spent most of his time in Estoril where he was part of the team that was promoted to the Primeira Liga after winning the Segunda Liga in 2011-12. He was also part of the Portuguese team that won the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in 2003.
Kerala Blasters bolster their attack ahead of second ISL season
The Blasters signed several players ahead of the season, and will be looking to make a serious challenge for the title this season. Notable Recruits of this season include Antonio German, Chris Dagnall, Sanchez Watt, Mohammed Rafi, C.K. Vineeth, Sandip Nandy, and Calvin Lobo.
While German, Dagnall, and Watt were international players, others like Lobo, Sampingiraj, C.K. Vineeth, and Carvalho were picked up through the Domestic Draft.
The team will look to entertain their fans with an improved strike force at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
Iain Hume moves to Atletico de Kolkata
Iain Hume who played for Kerala Blasters in the first season, has moved to reigning champions Athletico de Kolkata for the second season. The prolific Canadian striker won the Golden Ball last year for his goals contribution for the Blasters.
Hume was Kerala Blasters top scorer last season after he scored four goals for the team. Although the Canadian's exit was a big loss for the Blasters, they will be hoping players like Mohammed Rafi, Sanchez Watt, or Chris Dagnall can help the team fill the gap left by the 31-year-old
Kerala Blaster players
Goalkeeper: Sandip Nandy
Defenders: Erwin Spitzner, Gurwinder Singh, Nirmal Chettri, Ramandeep Singh, Sandesh Jhingan, Saumik Dey, Carlos Marchena
Midfielders: Ishfaq Ahmed, Mehtab Hossain, Victor Herrero Forcada, Calvin Lobo, Peter Carvalho, Shankar Sampingraj, Joao Coimbra
Forwards: Mohammed Rafi, CK Vineeth, Chris Dagnall, Antonio German, Sanchez Watt
