SC East Bengal are struggling to make their presence felt in the ongoing Indian Super League season and in a bid to turn their fortunes around, they have completed a loan signing of Brazilian striker Marcelo Ribeiro dos Santos from Portuguese top division club Gil Vicente. He is set to join the club on loan until the end of this season, subject to work visa and medical clearances.
Marcelo made his presence felt in the Spanish second division for a couple of seasons during his stints with Burgos and SS Reyes. Hailing from Santo Andre, Brazil, the 24-year-old joined Burgos from Brazilian club Portuguesa Santista in 2019. He scored 14 goals in two seasons despite making limited appearances and garnered attention from Gil Vicente immediately.
He moved to Portugal earlier this season, and made his debut against Portimonense in August. He hasn’t had a lot of game time as yet this season, appearing just three times and once the Indian club came calling, he had no second thoughts in accepting the invitation.
“I am pleased to join SC East Bengal. It is one of the biggest clubs in India and I am really looking forward to joining the team and helping them in the league,”
Marcelo said after completing the formalities.
East Bengal boss Mario Rivera rates the young talent quite highly and is expecting some great things from the player in the time he is going to spend.
The Red and Gold Brigade are having a torrid time in the league, lurking at the bottom of the table having acquired just six points thus far in 10 games. They have not been in good form despite getting off to a decent start in their opening game, where they drew 1-1 against Jamshedpur FC.
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They conceded nine goals in the next two games, losing to ATK Mohun Bagan (0-3) and Odisha FC (4-6) and since then, they are yet to win a single fixture this season.
Rivera’s men have struggled going forward this campaign, scoring just 11 times, which is the second worst in the division after Chennaiyin FC (9 goals). They are hopeful that Marcelo’s signing will turn things around for the club.
