"Thrilled to continue my journey" - Cleiton Silva signs one-year extension with East Bengal FC | ISL 2024-25
Rewarding Cleiton Silva for his swashbuckling performances of the previous seasons, East Bengal FC announced on Thursday, June 20, that their captain had signed a one-year contract extension. The new agreement will see the prolific Brazilian striker remain at the club until the end of the 2024-25 season, fortifying their attacking department which some new additions have already bolstered.
Since joining the Torchbearers from Bengaluru FC in 2022, Silva has amassed 4,594 minutes across 55 games, scoring 27 goals and providing eight assists, including eight braces. He finished as the joint-top scorer of ISL 2022-23 with 12 goals during his maiden season with the Kolkata Giants.
More recently, the 37-year-old was the top scorer in the club’s victorious Kalinga Super Cup campaign earlier this year and has also established himself as the leading goal-scorer for the Red & Golds.
"I am thrilled to continue my journey with this great club," Silva said in a club statement.
"I’ve always given my best for our fans and our badge. Winning the Super Cup with East Bengal will always be one of the greatest moments of my career. A long season awaits us. Keep supporting us as always. Joy East Bengal!"
"His goals have given us important victories" - Carles Cuadrat on Cleiton Silva's contract extension with East Bengal
Cleiton Silva has found the back of the net not just consistently but also in pivotal moments to push East Bengal over the line on multiple occasions.
Whether be it his match-winning freekicks against Bengaluru FC and Hyderabad, his brace against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan, or the match-winning goal against hosts Odisha FC in the Super Cup final, the Brazilian's tally of clutch moments is unrivaled at the club.
Club head coach Carles Cuadrat reiterated the same in the media release, underlining:
"Cleiton has been our top scorer over the past two seasons and leads the team by example. His goals have given us important victories and the East Bengal fans will forever remember his extra-time winner in the Super Cup final, which ended our twelve-year trophy drought at the national level. We are happy to continue working with a top professional like him.”
Yes, at 37, Cleiton is nearing the twilight of his professional career, but his consistent performances over the past few seasons, at least warrant another year of trust in his capabilities.
East Bengal have already secured the services of Dimitrios Diamantakos, who is expected to operate as the club's leading attacker. Consequently, the Brazilian's role in the squad will be substantially reduced, and given his pedigree, he will still be invaluable to the Torchbearers.