Chennaiyin FC today announced the signing of Brazilian duo Raphael Augusto and Mailson Alves Barreiro Veriato for the second season of the Hero Indian Super League football.
Midfielder Augusto will be joining Chennaiyin FC on loan from Brazilian giants Fluminense while central defender Mailson has been roped in by CFC after the expiry of his contract at Brazilian Serie C outfit Tupi Football Club.
The 24-year-old Augusto is an all-round midfielder who has been with Fluminense from the very start of his career but has been out on loan spells both in Brazil and abroad.
Augusto has had loan stints with DC United in USA's Major League Soccer and Polish giants Legia Warsaw. Most recently, Augusto was on loan to Brazilian Serie C outfit Madureira.
The 27-year-old Mailson has spent almost his entire career in the lower divisions of Brazil barring a short stint with Portuguese second tier outfit Portimonense.
After being instrumental in Tombense's Brazilian Serie D success in 2014, Mailson joined Serie C's Tupi and became an inspirational figure there with a standout performance in the upset win over Serie A team Atletico Paranaense in the Copa do Brazil earlier this year.
Chennaiyin FC manager Marco Materazzi said, "We are very happy to have signed Raphael Augusto and Mailson. They are two players with not only immense quality but also a lot of potential and I am glad that they will get to show their ability for Chennnaiyin FC in this year's ISL.
"Augusto is a great young prospect who can have a big influence in midfield. Technically and physically he is at a very good level. Mailson can be a towering presence at the back and at 27 he is still very young for a centre back and thus will only get better playing with the likes of Mendy and Eder Monteiro. Both players will strengthen their respective positions in our team."
Augusto said, "I am very excited to play for Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League. I enjoyed my experience in USA and Poland and now this venture in India will not only give me the chance to show my quality but also learn a lot by playing under Marco Materazzi.
"I know there will be a lot of competition for places in midfield as there are plenty of good Indian midfielders in the team also but I am really looking forward to the challenge and I hope to make Chennaiyin FC successful."
Mailson stated, "I would like to thank Chennaiyin FC for giving me the opportunity to share the dressing room with legends like Marco Materazzi and Elano. With so many Brazilians playing in the ISL last year, I have heard very positively about the league especially the great support in the stadiums.
