Salgaocar sign Cameroonian striker Mbarga, plot strong comeback in the I-League
AFTER NARROWLY SURVIVING RELEGATION on the very last day of the previous season, Salgaocar FC are looking to strengthen their presence in the I-League this time around, and towards that end they have signed a promising striker in Calvin Mbarga on a one-year deal.
The club is pleased to announce the signing of 28-yr old Australian striker, Calvin Mbarga on a year-long deal #CM9 pic.twitter.com/SwM6PGjt5w
— Salgaocar FC (@salgaocarfc) October 20, 2015
The 28 year old Cameroonian has spent the last few years playing for differet lower league clubs in Australia, like Western Strikers, Adelaide Blue Eagles, Hume City and Northcote City. Before that he played top division football in multiple countries. His professional career started in Unisport Bafang, a Premiere Division club in Cameroon. Soon he made his way to the UAE, where he plied his trade in clubs like Baniyas SC and Al-Jazira in the Arabian Gulf League, before moving to Australia.
In an official release, Mbarga said,
"Firstly, I am delighted to be in India, a country I have heard so much about. I am grateful to the management of Salgaocar FC for this opportunity. I have heard a lot about the I-League and I am looking forward to giving it my best and hopefully bringing honours to the club. I am excited and raring to go."
A natural forward, he has been known for his high conversion rate wherever he has played. During his time for UAE, he had a more than 100% scoring record in the league.
The signing of Mbarga signals an intent from Salgaocar to re-establish themselves as a serious contender in the top division league. A successful club in the past, Salgaocar has suffered a drop in popularity in the recent past along with other Goan clubs. Their involvement with the FC Goa franchise in the ISL has also taken a lot of focus away from the I-League club.
How much of an effort they put in to make a comeback in the national league and win back the fans will be apparent in the coming months.
TFG NEWSLETTER: Exclusive and Stimulating articles delivered Free into your Inbox every day! Subscribe to TFG TIMEs