East Bengal bolster their midfield with the signing of Fran Sota

4 years AGO
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Fran Sota playing for SD Leioa where Mario Rivera also worked

The basement boys of the 2021-22 Indian Super League season, East Bengal has added Spanish flair to their midfield by signing Fran Sota in a deal that will see the midfielder don the Red and Gold jersey till the end of the season.

Since East Bengal already had six overseas players on their roster, they have parted ways with Slovenian midfielder Amir Dervisevic to make way for Sota. The club announced the signing on social media by stating:

“We are happy to announce the signing of versatile Spanish midfielder Francisco Jose Sota on a short-term deal that will see him turn out for the red and gold brigade till the end of the season.”

Currently 31 years of age, Sota started his career with the Spanish team Osasuna in the 2009/10 season. He has since plied his trade for seven different clubs from his nation – Pena Sport, SD Longores, CD Varea, CD Tropezon, SD Leioa, Racing Ferrol, and CD Calahorra.

Sota expressed his delight at signing for the Kolkata giants by saying:

“I am very happy to join SC East Bengal. It is a big club in India and I know about its history and massive fanbase. I am looking forward to helping the team do well with my experience and knowledge about the game.”

The Aldeaneuva de Ebro-born player is predominantly a central attacking midfielder, but he can play on either flank as well, while he also has played as a No.9 on rare occasions.

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The former Osasuna player has played 284 matches in his career, in which he has scored 35 goals and has given 6 assists. In the 2020/21 season, Sota scored four goals and gave one assist in his 24 appearances for CD Calahorra.

East Bengal’s head coach Mario Rivera, who has worked with Sota in the 2016/17 season whilst being a video analyst at SD Leioa, stated his views on the signing:

“He is a very good footballer with experience in playing in some good teams in Spain. He should add to our options in the midfield, and I am looking forward to having him in the mix.”

The Red and Golds were in a desperate hunt for a creative midfielder as they have scored the second least goals (13) in the ongoing season. Rivera’s men are occupying the last place in the league standings, having accumulated 9 points from 13 games.

Sota has already completed his quarantine period and had his first training session with the team on Wednesday. He will be available for selection in East Bengal’s next match, which happens to be the iconic Kolkata Derby against arch-rivals ATK Mohun Bagan on Sunday.