Kolkata: Kolkata football giants East Bengal announced Wednesday the signing of Costa Rican defender Johnny Acosta Zamora who was part of the ongoing FIFA World Cup. This is the first time that a current World Cup player has joined any club side in India.
In the past, there have been many World Cuppers who have played for Indian clubs. But then most of them have been past their prime. Nigerian Emeka Ezeugo had also represented East Bengal in the early 1990s before representing Nigeria in the 1994 World Cup. However, never ever had any current World Cup player joined an Indian club side.
The 34-year-old will join East Bengal’s ranks for the upcoming season. Even though, he may miss the initial matches of the Kolkata League, Zamora is expected to be an integral part of the side for the I-League. Even though the East Bengal officials are tight-lipped about the financial deal, sources indicated that Zamora will be paid rupees one crore 36 lakh for wearing the East Bengal club jersey.
The defender was a part of the Costa Rican team who took on Neymar’s Brazil in a group stage game of the 2018 World Cup. He has represented Costa Rica 71 times and have scored two goals in the process.
“East Bengal is one of the greatest clubs in India. I convey my best to my new club. My aim is to encourage the other Indian footballers and guide them and at the same time win silverware for East Bengal,” Acosta said in a statement released by the club.
East Bengal finished fourth in the I-League last season and lost to Bengaluru FC in the final of the inaugural edition of the Super Cup.