I-League 2017/18: East Bengal set to rope in Mohammedan Sporting duo for the coming season
East Bengal are set to sign Mohammedan Sporting standouts Shankar Roy and Dipendu Dowary for the upcoming I-League season, league sources tell Sportskeeda. "The contract for the duo with Mohammedan Sporting runs out on 30 September and they will join the Red and Gold from the beginning of October as they look forward to the I-League season," the source told Sportskeeda on the condition of anonymity.
Roy first burst to fame thanks to his performances for Bengal in the Santosh Trophy earlier this year. With the youngster between the sticks, the Bengal team went on to win the trophy for a record 32nd time, beating Goa 1-0 in the final thanks to a goal from Manvir Singh.
The backbone of the triumph of Bengal's record triumph was the backline with Roy being the star. The Bengal backline remained unscathed throughout the tournament, conceding no goals in the six games it played.
Roy, in fact, came up trumps further when he produced the heroics to beat Miz6-5 on penalties in the semi-final after 120 minutes of action had seen the game tied at 0-0.
The young keeper, whose idol is Subrata Paul was reportedly highly sought after by both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal ahead of the Calcutta Football League after playing for Peerless last season. He, however, decided to sign for Mohammedan with assurances of a regular starting place.
The 24-year old goalkeeper, who had lost his father at a very young age finally laid his financial misery to rest earlier this year when he landed a job earlier this year in the company owned by Utpal Ganguly - the Secretary of Utpal Ganguly - thus bringing an end to the days of his mother Runa Roy, working as a housemaid in different households in North Kolkata.
And now this move should further strengthen his future.
Dipendu Dowary, meanwhile, has impressed for Mohammedan time and again this season with his fierce runs on the wings. A speed merchant by trade, the winger has produced many an exhilarating moment so far in the Calcutta Football League. And his performances have certainly not gone unnoticed.
He has produced some memorable performances so far that includes the winning goal against Bhowanipore to kick start Mohammedan's season. He was then instrumental in breaking down Peerless as the Black Panthers routed them 5-2, scoring one himself.
Dowary was also a vital cog in Mohameedan's wins over Southern Samity and Tollygunge Aggragami.