I-League: East Bengal to unveil new signing Ranti Martins today

Kolkata giants East Bengal are set to announce the signing of star striker Ranti Martins later today. The Nigerian has reportedly agreed on a two-year contract and is expected to be unveiled to the media in a press conference this evening at the Kolkata club’s tent.

For many seasons East Bengal had been trying to sign Ranti and finally they have got their man with the presence of Armando Colaco as head coach being a big factor. Ranti won five league titles under Colaco at Dempo and is looking forward to the reunion with his mentor.

“He (Colaco) is a like a role model. It’s important that the whole squad works together as a family and then only we can win a lot of trophies,” Ranti was quoted saying.

Another major reason behind Ranti’s move to East Bengal is the fact that his family is well settled in Kolkata now. Even when Ranti joined Shillong club Rangdajied United on loan from Kolkata’s United Sports Club this season, his family remained in Kolkata as the striker didn’t want to hamper the school activities of his kids.

Ranti joined United SC in 2012 after eight successful seasons with Dempo and spent one and a half seasons there before joining Rangdajied on loan in February 2014 due to United SC’s financial problems. He scored eight goals in as many games for Rangdajied to help the debutants survive in the I-League.

The former Dempo player, who has scored 101 goals in the last four I-League campaigns and finished top scorer in three of those editions, will now be expected to end East Bengal’s long wait for an I-League title.

The red-and-gold brigade haven’t won the most coveted trophy in Indian football since 2004 and finished runners-up behind Bengaluru FC in the 2013-14 I-League.