KOLKATA: Despite the concluding matches of the I-League spilling over, June 1 marks the beginning of a new season in Indian football, and on the very first day, Mohun Bagan netted a big 'fish'.
Efforts of Bagan officials bore fruit on Wednesday when they roped in the most prolific striker in Indian club football - Odafe Okolie. In what is undoubtedly the biggest transfer move of the season, the Nigerian signed on the dotted lines for the green and maroons on a one-year contract for an undisclosed amount. Sources indicated that it could be the most expensive buy in Indian football.
After a barren season, during which Bagan failed to win a single trophy, getting Odafa on board is a clever ploy by the officials to placate club's supporters. The 25-year-old goalpoacher par excellence certainly got a taste of the adulation when he showed up at the club tent where he was presented to the media. Bagan fans went berserk as Odafa arrived amid tight security. He will also be a touch-wary of the huge responsibility of guiding the club's fortunes in the new season.
Like a quintessential pro, Odafa spoke freely and frankly. "Thank you everyone. You all love me a lot. This year I am joining Mohun Bagan and I would like to tell you, we will win many trophies," he said, sending thousands of supporters into a delirium.
For the former Churchill Brothers player returns to the city after eight years, having played for theMohammedan Sporting Club in 2003-04 before being unceremoniously dumped. Odafa was not prepared to dwell on his bitter experience in Kolkata on an occasion like this, but made it clear that he had came to Bagan looking for a new challenge. "Churchill Brothers treated me like a son and kept me really happy. But, I decided to move on as we all need to look for new challenges. I also hope that Bagan officials will also keep me happy."
Odafa then switched to football matters. Asked whether he was looking forward to playing alongside Jose Ramirez Barreto, the Nigerian said. "Barreto has a lot of experience and his presence will give me a lot of confidence.
But, I want to state that I alone cannot do everything and need support from my teammates to score goals. Bagan officials have promised me that they will be signing up good players," said Odafa, who was presented with a green and maroons jersey which had no number on it. Asked whether he would prefer No 10, Odafa said in a lighter vein, "As Barreto wears No 10, I might wear No 101."
Bagan's general secretary Anjan Mitra thanked former Bagan striker Chima Okorie for helping them to get Odafa on board. "Odafa's induction is a big thing for Bagan. We wanted him, and we are grateful to Chima for helping us in bringing him into the fold," he said.
Efforts of Bagan officials bore fruit on Wednesday when they roped in the most prolific striker in Indian club football - Odafe Okolie. In what is undoubtedly the biggest transfer move of the season, the Nigerian signed on the dotted lines for the green and maroons on a one-year contract for an undisclosed amount. Sources indicated that it could be the most expensive buy in Indian football.
After a barren season, during which Bagan failed to win a single trophy, getting Odafa on board is a clever ploy by the officials to placate club's supporters. The 25-year-old goalpoacher par excellence certainly got a taste of the adulation when he showed up at the club tent where he was presented to the media. Bagan fans went berserk as Odafa arrived amid tight security. He will also be a touch-wary of the huge responsibility of guiding the club's fortunes in the new season.
Like a quintessential pro, Odafa spoke freely and frankly. "Thank you everyone. You all love me a lot. This year I am joining Mohun Bagan and I would like to tell you, we will win many trophies," he said, sending thousands of supporters into a delirium.
For the former Churchill Brothers player returns to the city after eight years, having played for theMohammedan Sporting Club in 2003-04 before being unceremoniously dumped. Odafa was not prepared to dwell on his bitter experience in Kolkata on an occasion like this, but made it clear that he had came to Bagan looking for a new challenge. "Churchill Brothers treated me like a son and kept me really happy. But, I decided to move on as we all need to look for new challenges. I also hope that Bagan officials will also keep me happy."
Odafa then switched to football matters. Asked whether he was looking forward to playing alongside Jose Ramirez Barreto, the Nigerian said. "Barreto has a lot of experience and his presence will give me a lot of confidence.
But, I want to state that I alone cannot do everything and need support from my teammates to score goals. Bagan officials have promised me that they will be signing up good players," said Odafa, who was presented with a green and maroons jersey which had no number on it. Asked whether he would prefer No 10, Odafa said in a lighter vein, "As Barreto wears No 10, I might wear No 101."
Bagan's general secretary Anjan Mitra thanked former Bagan striker Chima Okorie for helping them to get Odafa on board. "Odafa's induction is a big thing for Bagan. We wanted him, and we are grateful to Chima for helping us in bringing him into the fold," he said.
