ISL 2023-24: East Bengal FC sign Serbian Aleksandar Pantić

The defender has been signed as a replacement for Jose Antonio Pardo.

East Bengal FC has signed Serbian defender Aleksandar Pantić for the remainder of the current Indian Super League (ISL) season as Jose Antonio Pardo has been ruled out due to an injury and the club has mutually parted ways with him.

Besides playing for top European clubs like Villarreal CF, Red Star Belgrade and Dynamo Kyiv, the 31-year old centre-back has also represented Serbia’s U-19 and U-21 teams in the past.

Welcoming Pantić to the East Bengal family, Mr Vibhash Vardhan Agarwal of Emami Group said, “Pantić has good experience of playing in top-flight European leagues. We believe he’ll add more solidity to our defence and help us in our quest for the playoffs. It’s really unfortunate to miss Pardo for the remainder of the season due to an injury. Emami East Bengal wishes him a speedy recovery and will continue to support him through this difficult phase.”

Commenting on Pantić’s inclusion, East Bengal Head Coach Carles Cuadrat said, “In Pantić we have a player with huge experience of playing for top European clubs like Villarreal,

Dynamo Kyiv and Red Star Belgrade. I know him from my stint in Cypriot football, and it’s very good for us that he was playing for Doxa just until the last transfer window.”

Cuadrat also acknowledged Emami Group’s swiftness in finding able replacements, saying, “It’s challenging to find quality free players once the transfer market closes, but Emami East Bengal has worked tirelessly and supported me whenever we’ve had to find good

replacements. First finding Hijazi as Elsey’s replacement in September and now signing Pantić for the spot left vacant by Pardo – I really appreciate the fact that the Emami East Bengal management understands the situation and is working in the right direction. We are waiting to meet Pantić as soon as his visa is issued.”

Excited to join East Bengal FC, Pantić, who has played in the top divisions of Serbia, Spain, Ukraine, Poland and Cyprus, said, “It gives me immense pleasure to join a legendary club like East Bengal. The club has had many wonderful moments this season and I want to do my best to make our fans happier. I am grateful to Coach Carles and the Emami East Bengal management for giving me this opportunity. Joy East Bengal!”

The player registration is subject to completion of regulatory processes and medicals.

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