ISL 2021: SC East Bengal sign Australian defender Tomislav Mrcela

SC East Bengal announced on Tuesday the signing of Australian centre-back Tomislav Mrcela for the Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22 season. The former Perth Glory defender is SC East Bengal head coach Manolo Diaz’s second foreign signing.

The 6"4 defender joined Perth Glory in 2018 on a two-year contract and was part of the A-League winning side.

Tomislav said he is excited to be part of SC East Bengal and believes he can add steel to their defense for the new ISL season. Speaking after signing the agreement, Tomislav said:

“I’m happy to have signed for SC East Bengal, and I have got good feedback about the club. I have friends who have played in India and also know a thing or two about the club, and they tell me how big it is in this part of the world.”

He added:

“I will look to add experience at the heart of the defense and take care of the locker room as well. The atmosphere within the team is very important and I will leave no stone unturned in doing what needs to be done for the team’s benefit. I also know how passionate the fans are here and it’s unfortunate that they can’t be in the stands cheering us. We play for them and we will do everything we can to make them happy. I can’t wait to start the season."

All you need to know about SC East Bengal's new signing Tomislav Mrcela

As a 20-year-old, Tomislav made his name with Croatian club NK Imotski, where he was a regular starter. A string of good performances across two seasons helped him land a contract with top-division side NK Hrvatski Dragovoljac in 2012.

He then moved to NK Lokomotiva, courtesy of his stellar defensive prowess. Born in Perth, Tomislav was brought up in Croatia. He joined the RNK Split youth academy in 2001. He then joined Croatia’s then third division club Jadran Kaštel. Tomislav also played for NK Primorac 1929 in 2010.

🤝DONE DEAL🤝Our rock at the back, all the way from 🇦🇺 😍Towering centre-back 𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘃 𝗠𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗮 has signed a one-year deal with the club, making him Manuel ‘Manolo’ Diaz’s second foreign recruit.#TorchBearers, take over!#TomislavIsHere #JoyEastBengal #HeroISL pic.twitter.com/h0Uh9aK4fi

— SC East Bengal (@sc_eastbengal) September 14, 2021

Tomislav scored his first goal for Lokomotiva on debut in a 5–2 loss to HNK Hajduk Split. He also spent some time in South Korea, plying his trade for Jeonnam Dragons, before returning home to Perth Glory in 2018.

Tomislav was named in the 23-man Australia squad for two 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Kyrgyzstan.

SC East Bengal face Jamsedhpur FC in their campaign opener on November 21 at the Tilak Maidan Stadium in Goa.

The Red and Yellow Brigade, coached by Spaniard Diaz, will then take on ATK Mohun Bagan on November 27 in a much-awaited Kolkata Derby.