Kolkata: Former East Bengal defender Johnny Acosta has officially signed for Costa Rican top division side Deportivo Saprissa on Saturday (August 1). Like many other foreign footballers, Costa was too stuck in the City of Joy during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic but was later able to move to his country when the international flights resumed operation.
Costa, who has played the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups, joined East Bengal in 2018 for a fee of approximately Rs 1.36 crore and was given the No. 2 jersey and scored on debut in a 2-2 draw against Mohun Bagan in the Kolkata derby at the Salt Lake Stadium in Calcutta Football League encounter. He left after the end of the season.
On returning home, Acosta signed for Costa Rican club UCR in 2019. However, Costa returned to East Bengal in 2020 in a contract till the end of the season. He was brought in as a replacement for Liberian striker, Ansumana Kromah. His second tenure at East Bengal FC has surely been ended now. He made only one appearance in his second stint against Real Kashmir in Srinagar.
Earlier on June 19, Acosta and his manager Jose Luis Rodriguez have accused the Kolkata giant of manhandling him. Rodriguez alleged that East Bengal abruptly terminated Acosta’s contract, did not pay his wages, asked him to vacate his apartment, and did not provide him with tickets to return home.
“It has been a very tough situation for Johnny. He was frustrated with the behaviour of the club. Now he is feeling better because he is at the embassy in Delhi, waiting for his humanitarian flight,” Rodriguez said on behalf of Acosta, who speaks no English. “Johnny has played in two World Cups. He is a big player in Costa Rica. At least they could have shown some respect.”
