ISL: FC Goa sign Goan defenders Nicolau Colaco and Keenan Almeida
Indian Super League franchise FC Goa have signed two local Goan defenders in Nicolau Colaco and Keenan Almeida for the ISL - Season 2 to strengthen their Goan contingent in the squad. Nicolau Colaco joins FC Goa from Salgaocar FC, while Keenan Almeida comes from Sporting Clube de Goa.
The 31-year-old Nicolau Colaco is an experienced defender on the Indian circuit having played for former I-League champions Salgaocar FC over the last four years. In his first year with Salgaocar, right-back Nicolau won the I-League and the following season the Federation Cup title followed.
Before that Nicolau Colaco played at Vasco SC from 2003 to 2006, Salgaocar FC from 2006 to 2008, and the Sesa Football Academy from 2008 to 2011. Meanwhile, 23-year-old Keenan Almeida is a promising young defender, who over the last three seasons has been contracted to I-League side Sporting Clube de Goa.
Keenan didn't get much match tie at Sporting Goa after joining them from Salgaocar FC in 2012, which he will want to change with the switch to Indian Super League side FC Goa.
Both Nicolau Colaco and Keenan Almeida had been part of the ISL domestic players draft, but were not picked by any of the franchises.
With the signing of Nicolau Colaco and Keenan Almeida, FC Goa marquee manager Zico of Brazil has the most complete squad at this stage on paper of all eight Indian Super League franchises with now 22 players under contract and talks on with East Bengal Club to sign goalkeeper Luis Xavier Barreto on loan for the ISL, which would complete the Indian players quota of maximum 16 players.