Promoted I-League side Rangdajied United FC from Shillong have signed former Pune FC striker Edmar Figueira of Brazil as their first foreigner after South Korea’s Ho Jun Shin and Senegalese Lamine Tamba.
29 year old Edmar Figueira had played successfully for Pune FC between 2009 and 2011 before signing for Portuguese side CD Feirense, Romanian side FC Ceahl?ul Piatra Neam?, German Regionalliga Nord side FC Oberneuland before playing for Al-Shorta SC in Syria.
Edmar wanted to stay in Syria, but the political situation forced him to leave the country and since leaving Pune FC he had said he would like to return to India.
Edmar told me, “After having played in a lot of countries and having been one of very few foreigners to play in India who got back into a top European division, I feel like India have something special for me and I also have something special for this beautiful country.”
“The football is growing here (India). I want to be a part of it and help it to grow, bringing my experience from around the world. But a lot of work have to be done here about the development of football. I want be helping in that! And as you know, football is my life,” Edmar ended by saying.
For Rangdajied United FC, Edmar brings much-needed I-League and international experience to the club in their inaugural year in the top flight.