East Bengal have confirmed the signing of Aleksandar Pantic for the remainder of the season. The centre-back will be the replacement for Jose Pardo, with the Spaniard sustaining an injury that will keep him out for a sustained amount of time.
Aged 31 and playing in the Cypriot first division before signing for the Red and Gold side, Pantic will bring a wealth of experience with him and will be a vital partner alongside Hijazi Maher. His physical presence at the back will be vital for the second half of the season as Carles Cuadrat’s side looks to build on the Kalinga Super Cup 2024 win with a top 6 finish.
Aleksandar Pantic signs for East Bengal for the remainder of 23/24 season
“It gives me immense pleasure to join a legendary club like East Bengal. The club has had many wonderful moments this season and I want to do my best to make our fans happier. I am grateful to Coach Carles and the East Bengal management for giving me this opportunity. Joy East Bengal!,” the new signing told East Bengal’s official site upon his announcement.
Playing primarily as a center-back, Pantic employs a combination of physical prowess, intelligence, and technical skill to thwart opposing attacks and contribute to his team’s defensive stability.
Statistically, Pantic’s effectiveness as a defender can be illustrated through various metrics. One key aspect is his aerial prowess, as evidenced by his high percentage of aerial duels won. This ability not only helps him in defensive situations, where he can clear crosses and win headers, but also poses a threat in set-piece situations, where he can be a target for his team’s deliveries into the box.
Moreover, Pantic’s defensive awareness and reading of the game are reflected in his interception and clearance statistics. His ability to anticipate opposition movements, intercept passes, and make crucial clearances helps to alleviate pressure on his team’s defense and thwart potential goal-scoring opportunities for the opposing side.
In addition to his defensive contributions, Pantic is also adept at initiating attacks from the back. His passing accuracy and ability to distribute the ball effectively from defense to midfield serve as a vital component in his team’s build-up play. By playing accurate passes to teammates and initiating attacking moves from deep positions, Pantic contributes to his team’s offensive transition and helps maintain possession in crucial areas of the pitch.
Overall, Aleksandar Pantic’s playing style embodies the archetype of a modern central defender, combining physicality, defensive astuteness, and technical ability. His impressive statistics underline his importance to his team’s defensive solidity while also highlighting his contributions in initiating attacking moves from the back.
He has made 16 appearances for Serbia’s U21 team, but failed to break into the senior national team. He has played in LaLiga at the peak of his career, featuring for Villarreal, Eibar, Alaves and Cadiz. Alongside Victor Vazquez and Forbes, he becomes the third foreign signing for the club, after their Super Cup win.
But their injury curse continues, with Jordan Elsey first ruled out in the Durand Cup final, before Pardo also sustaining an injury now.
