Pune FC rope in Anthony D'Souza from Salgaocar

New Delhi - I-league club Pune FC today signed Goan Anthony D’Souza to their line-up for the coming 2013-14 season from former champions Salgaocar.

Known for his skill and knack for scoring goals, Anthony brings along his experience and adds up to the youth philosophy Pune FC has adopted in building their squad.

Pune FC head of operations, Chirag Tanna, said: “We have been tracking Anthony for a couple of years now and we are delighted to have signed him. I am certain that he will play an important role for us in the 2013-14 season.”

Siolim-based Anthony joins Pune FC having spent last season at Salgaocar FC where he lit up the 2012 Federation Cup, scoring in each of the three group games in Jamshedpur.

As a result, he ended up being the top scoring Indian in the group-stage and the second Indian in the lists for the  tournament.

Interestingly, it was Anthony’s winning strike in the final group-game that dashed Pune FC’s hopes of progress.

Anthony said: “I would like to thank Pune FC for the opportunity. It’s a new challenge and I am ready for it. Honestly, I have never been out of the state (Goa) to play. The challenge that I mean is about coping with the job on hand. I am ready to work hard. My parents support me with this and I am sure I will live up to the expectations.”

Having begun with a flourish last season, Anthony struck a purple patch and had a forgettable start to the I-League campaign. An injury in the opening I-League encounter away at United Sikkim led to him missing the first-half of the season.

The 26-year-old, however, returned to full-fitness in the second half of the season, before making a comeback as a substitute in a Round-21 win over Mumbai FC. This followed with two more games against United SC and Churchill Brothers for Salgaocar.

Before plying his trade at Salgaocar last season, Anthony was a regular and key member of the Sporting Clube de Goa squad given his assists, dribbling and a constant goal-scoring threat.

A product of the Sesa Football Academy, Anthony initially joined Sporting in 2006 before spending the 2007-08 season at local Goan club Velsao Pale.