I-League and Federation Cup runners-up Mohun Bagan have shrugged off their slow start in the transfer market, signing Nigerian defender Eze Kingsley for the season ahead.
Kingsley, who was a pivotal part of Aizawl FC's I-League winning squad last season, had earlier played for a number of low-key teams in India, including Police AC, United Sports Club and Peerless.
The sturdy central defender grabbed attention in last year's Calcutta Football League (CFL) as well, when he kept a close watch on Azharuddin Mullick and Darryl Duffy as Peerless held the Mariners to a goalless draw.
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The Green and Maroon Brigade has also opened talks with veteran Nigerian striker Ranti Martins to sign him for the I-League. Martins, the all time highest scorer in the history of the competition, had left India in tears last year, and had signed for Malaysian outfit Pulau Pinang. His stint overseas, though, was underwhelming, as he could only score four times in ten appearances.
The former Dempo talisman, who had also plied for the likes of United Sports, Rangdajied United and East Bengal, now plies his trade for Super Green Eagles FC in Maryland, USA in a deal that runs out in December. "Mohun Bagan has approached me and there is a chance I may return to Kolkata in January," he was quoted as saying.
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The century-old club, like their arch-rivals East Bengal, will continue to play in the I-League at least for another season after talks with various stakeholders of the Indian Super League fell through.