Kolkata: Experienced defender Raju Gaikwad is all set to join SC East Bengal within few days for the ongoing Indian Super League in the winter transfer window. The right-footed defender, who last played for Kerala Blasters in the 2019 season of ISL will be returning back to his old colours in his second spell, after having played for the Kolkata giants from 2011 to 2015.
According to sources, Gaikwad, who was in Kolkata without a club for a long time has tested negative for his COVID-19 test and will fly to Goa on Monday (December 7). He will be under 14 days of mandatory quarantine before taking the field. However, the tenure of his contract is not yet known.
“Raju is set to fly to Goa tomorrow (Monday),” a source confirmed to Sportslight Media on Sunday (December 6). The Mumbaikar is very comfortable on the ball and can easily fill in as a full back even and is a long throw specialist.
Gaikwad joined Kerala last year as a replacement to injured Sandesh Jhingan. The 30-year-old had stints with Jamshedpur FC. He has earlier plied his trade for East Bengal and Mohun Bagan — in the I-League along with stints at FC Goa and Mumbai City FC in the ISL.
The source also confirmed that right-back Rino Anto is also joining the Red and Golds. SC East Bengal’s ISL debut has not been fruitful as the Robbie Fowler-coached side have lost all their three encounters in the competition. While they lost the opener against arch-rivals ATK Mohun Bagan, their last two losses came against Mumbai City FC and NorthEast United FC.
In all three matches, SC Bengal have conceded in all the matches more than once and have failed to score any. With Raju joining the squad, it will be a big boost for Fowler and the side in the defence. The addition of the out-of-favour India international will bolster the side.
