East Bengal signs Croatian forward Antonio Perosevic
East Bengal has signed Croatian forward Antonio Perosevic on a one-year contract until the end of the 2021-22 Indian Super League season.
After signing for the Red and Gold Brigade, Perosevic said,
“India is an amazing country and I have heard a lot about how passionate people are about football here. Especially, SC East Bengal and its fan base are much talked about. I have read up on them and I can’t wait to pull on the red and gold shirt. I will look to help the team in whatever way I can and maintain the team spirit. I know the history attached to this club and I will do my best to uphold its legacy.”
The 29-year old forward also talked about his new teammates and the infamous Kolkata Derby involving SC East Bengal and ATK Mohun Bagan.
He continued,
“I have had a good conversation with the management and I am really looking forward to the new adventure. I am looking forward to meeting the coaching staff and all my teammates. I have also heard about the big derby against ATK Mohun Bagan, and that kind of game further motivates a player.”
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Perosevic started his career with local hometown club Osijek and came through different ranks in the youth academy to sign for the senior team in 2010. The forward spent seasons with the senior team of the club scoring 37 goals and providing 13 assists in 138 appearances.
Ahead of the 2017-18 season, Hungarian club Puskas Akademia came calling for the Croatian forward and Perosevic was never able to settle in Hungary as he scored a couple of goals and provided 3 assists in 22 appearances. After an ill-fated loan spell with UAE club Al-Ittihad Kalba, the forward signed for Ujpest in Hungary where he scored 7 goals and provided 4 assists in 43 appearances.
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East Bengal have now secured a new head coach in Manuel Manolo Diaz and completed their quota of six overseas signings as well. Slovenian defensive midfielder Amir Dervisevic was the first to come aboard the ship with Australian defender Tomislav Mrcela and the former Lazio defender Franco Prce signing for the club as well.
With defense sorted, the Red and Gold Brigade signed their primary attacking target in Nigerian striker Daniel Chima Chukwu and have now secured the signing of Croatian forward Perosevic as well along with signing Dutch utility player Darren Sidoel.