New Bangalore-based I-League entrant JSW Sports today announced that it has signed a trio of young players for the coming football season.
The club has roped in 21-year-old goalkeeper Bruno Colaco and defenders Gurtej Singh(23), and highly-rated 19-year-old local talent S Shankar, a media release said.
While Bruno had a short stint with Sporting Clube de Goa in the I-League last year, Gurtej had played for a season each with Pailan Arrows and Churchill Brothers.
Shankar, who was a member of the India U-19 squad, was with Pailan before a loan spell at DSK Shivajians in Pune and has also played with Bangalore's now-relegated I-League team Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), said he is relishing the prospect of showcasing his ability in his home city again.
"This is a great opportunity for a youngster like me and I am going to give it everything. It's nice to see football come to Bangalore in a big way and to be able to play a part in it is exciting for me," he said.
Assistant coach Pradhyum Reddy said the youngsters had been tracked carefully before deciding to sign them.
"It would be fair to say that Bruno turned Sporting Clube's season around with some impressive performances under the post," he said.
"For a youngster, he handled pressure really well. He has quick feet too and we thought of him as a valuable addition to our squad," Reddy said of the young keeper.
Reddy also believes that Gurtej, who didn't get much of a look in during his time at Churchill, will be hungry to perform.
"Coach Ashley Westwood has been a centre back himself and Gurtej could surely benefit playing under him. As for Shankar, he is a player with tremendous potential and is surely one to look out for," he added.
"Sporting Clube was a nice challenge and this chance is going to be a bigger challenge that I am looking forward to," said Colaco.
