Brazilian striker Marcelo Ribeiro dos Santos, 24, has joined SC East Bengal on loan from Portuguese club Gil Vicente FC till the end of the Indian Super League season. The announcement was made by the Kolkata giants on Monday.
About the Brazilian Forward
Marcelo Ribeiro, a native of Sao Paulo, began his career at Portuguesa Santista. However, the striker was sold to Burgos CF in the Segunda division after failing to make an appearance for the senior team.
After putting pen to paper for the club, Marcelo Ribeiro said: “I am pleased to join SC East Bengal. It is one of the biggest clubs in India, and I am looking forward to joining the team and helping them in the league.”
Marcelo made 15 league games for Burgos CF in the 2019-20 season, seven starting and eight coming off the bench. For the club, he scored four goals. In a 2-2 draw with CD Tudelano, Marcelo Ribeiro scored a spectacular brace.
The following season, Burgos CF loaned the teenage striker to UD San Sebastián de Los Reyes. He made 24 appearances and scored 9 goals in the 2020-21 season.
Marcelo Ribeiro’s outstanding achievements earned him a move to Gil Vicente in Portugal’s top flight. However, throughout the first half of the 2021-22 season, his performances with the club were limited to just three brief substitute appearances. On August 29, he made his final appearance for Gil Vicente in an eight-minute cameo.
His Impact on the Team
While Marcelo Ribeiro has yet to make an impact at the highest level, he has a knack for showing up at the perfect time. Ribeiro has the potential to be a key player for SC East Bengal in the future.
After ten games, the Red & Gold Brigade are cemented to the bottom of the points table. They are still winless in the league, and their foreign players have put in disappointing performances.
The Kolkata giants have looked revitalized under interim boss Renedy Singh. Mario Rivera will take over as the team’s new head coach for the remainder of the season, according to the Kolkata Bengals.
The club have also cut ways with Daniel Chima Chukwu, their main foreign attacker. After just scoring twice in ten appearances, the Nigerian has failed to impress his employers. The 30-year-old attacker scored two goals in a 6-4 loss to Odisha FC.
Read: ISL 21/22: 3 talking points as SC East Bengal hold Mumbai City FC to a 0-0 draw
