The Red and Whites have been dealt with a number of injury blows, with players like Helder Postiga, Josemi and Valdo on the sidelines. While marquee player Postiga is expected to be fit by mid-November, Josemi, the former Liverpool player has been ruled out for the rest of the season
AGENCIES
KOLKATA
Atletico de Kolkata have zeroed in on Nigerian striker Dudu Omagbemi as the replacement for injured defender Josemi, with the former East Bengal striker expected to arrive in Kolkata next week.
The Red and Whites have been dealt with a number of injury blows, with players like Helder Postiga, Josemi and Valdo on the sidelines. While marquee player Postiga is expected to be fit by mid-November, Josemi, the former Liverpool player has been ruled out for the rest of the season. With little options available on the attacking front, the Sourav Ganguly co-owned franchise have now made a move for veteran Dudu, who was approached by another ISL franchise recently.
Dudu, who had sublime stints with Sporting Clube de Goa and Salgaocar in the past, had a mixed last 12 months in Indian football. Playing for FC Pune City last year, he inflicted the first defeat of the campaign for Atletico, when the Oranje Army thrashed the hosts 3-1 at the Salt Lake Stadium. While he was one of the most impressive I-League foreigners in the new cash-rich league, he couldn't follow it up in the Red and Gold colours, where a goal-drought midway into the season saw him fall out with the management.
In the summer of 2015, Dudu made a shocking swoop to arch-rivals Mohun Bagan, but his contract was scrapped by the Green and Maroon officials after the Calcutta League, even though he had finished as the top scorer for the Mariners in the tournament.
According to goal.com, the Nigerian was also approached by FC Goa last week, but the outfit eventually settled for Brazilian striker Rafael Coelho Luiz. Now, Dudu is all set to ply his trade for another team from Kolkata after wearing the colours of two arch-rivals in last six months. The paperwork is yet to be done and Dudu is still in Finland, but the deal is expected to be announced soon.
