East Bengal have extended the contract of Brazilian striker Cleiton Silva by one more year that will keep him at the club till the end of the 2023-24 campaign, club investor Emami announced on Thursday.
With 12 goals in 20 games, Silva led East Bengal’s attack during the league stage of ISL IX, making him the leading goalscorer at the end of the league phase.
The 36-year-old, who last year signed a one-year contract with the red and gold brigade after leaving Bengaluru FC, also scored twice in the 2022 Durand Cup, both times against Mumbai City.
The Brazilian expressed his pleasure at staying with East Bengal.
“I’m happy to be here for next season. I believe in the project. Despite the problems, we‘ve had some good moments in ISL IX. I think we can learn and grow together in the next season,” he said.
“Cleiton’s contribution to the team’s performance this season has been invaluable and we believe that he has more to offer,” Sandeep Agarwal, director of Emami East Bengal, said.
Form favours Bengaluru
Calcutta: The new knockout stage of ISL IX playoffs will commence at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore on Friday, with Bengaluru FC locking horns with last year’s runners-up Kerala Blasters.
There will be no margin for error as the winners will book a semi-final berth against Mumbai City FC while the season ends immediately for the losing team.
Riding the back of eight consecutive wins in the league stage, Bengaluru FC will take the pitch with momentum in their favour. The Blues dropped no points in the league stage during this calendar year and made a memorable comeback to book a spot in the playoffs, a streak which included a win against Kerala Blasters.
Bengaluru FC faced Kerala Blasters at home less than a month ago, where they held onto a one-goal lead to clinch all three points. Sivasakthi Narayanan is in spectacular form scoring six goals this season, all of which have come in the last eight games.
“We are playing with confidence because we have been on such a good run,” Bengaluru coach Simon Grayson said.
Today’s match
Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters (7.30pm, live on Star Sports 1 HD)
OUR BUREAU
