NorthEast United FC announce the signing of Gennaro Bracigliano as player-cum-goalkeeping coach
NorthEast United FC has announced that they have reached an agreement with French player Gennaro Bracigliano for the second edition of the Indian Super League. The 35-year-old, who played for Chennaiyin FC in the first season of the ISL, will don the role of player-cum-goalkeeping-coach replacing Tony Warner who had his contract terminated two days back.
“I am very excited to come back to the ISL and to India. I am looking forward to discovering NorthEast United FC. I already know its fans and the fact that they were one of the very best fanbases last year.” said Gennaro after inking the contract, according to the club’s official facebook page.
Bracigliano rose through the youth ranks at French club Nancy and went on to make almost 200 appearances for the senior team. After establishing himself as first choice in the 2003-04 season, he helped the club win promotion to the top tier of French football in the next season as Nancy emerged Ligue 2 champions.
His excellent performances during the season earned him the Ligue 2 goalkeeper of the year award and he went on to enjoy further success with Nancy winning the 2005/06 League Cup. After leaving Nancy at the end of the 2010/11 season, he moved to Marseille where he failed to start a single game in his three years at the club.
The goalkeeper who featured nine times for Chennaiyin in the inaugural season of the ISL, opened up on the decision to shift base this time around and stated that he was looking forward to working with NorthEast United’s goalkeeper’s Rehenesh and Ralte Lalthuammawia.
“This year I come to ?NEUFC to aim for the title. I hope that I will do some good work Rehenesh and Lalthuammawia. I am confident that together we will play an essential role in the success of NEUFC this season,” Bracigliano said.
NEUFC broke the news on their official twitter account.