Mohun Bagan set to rope in former Southampton defender
Mohun Bagan are considering a move for former Saints defender Daniel ‘Danny’ Seaborne according to sources close to the club. The Kolkata giants have already signed Darryl Duffy for the CFL and it looks like they will add another British player to their ranks. Seaborne, last played for Scottish Premiership side Patrick Thistle.
The Mariners started their pre-season training earlier this month and are trying to quickly wrap up their marquee foreign signings ahead of their first tournament of the season, the Calcutta Football League. The Green and Maroon brigade haven’t had a taste of success in the regional league for quite some time with their arch rivals East Bengal winning it for the last six seasons.
Sanjoy Sen had been on the lookout for a formidable centre-back ever since Bello Rajah scooted off to rivals East Bengal after helping them win the I-League in 2014/15. Sen had tried out Gustavo Silva and Judelin Aveska last season in the local league before signing Luciano Sobrosa for the I-League and Federation Cup.
Whilst the Brazilian led Bagan to one of the best defensive records across the country in the I-League, the backline always looked susceptible. Thus, to iron out the fault at the back, the Bagan hierarchy is looking to bring in a player with a mixture of experience and playing ability.
Seaborne comes to India with rich experience and at 29, still has a few years of football left in him. He has played for a number of clubs in the lower divisions of English football including Exeter City, Coventry City and Bournemouth.
His most distinct spell came with Exeter City where he formed a formidable partnership at the back with Matt Taylor, helping side from England’s North-East get promoted to League One football. The 29-year-old then went on to spend three years at Southampton between 2010 and 2013.
Bagan were supposedly looking to hand out trial to a couple of African defenders in the form of former NorthEast United defender Massamba Sambou of Senegal and Aaron Katebe of Zambia. However, none of their participation was given a go ahead by Sanjoy Sen.
East Bengal has already roped in former Pune F.C. and Dempo defender Calum Angus. With Darryl Duffy and Danny Seaborne joining the mix, Calcutta football is set to have a British flavour added to it this season.