Odisha FC in advanced talks to sign Antonio D'Silva from Dempo SC

The custodian made nine appearances for FC Goa in GPL 2020-21.

Indian Super League (ISL) outfit Odisha FC are keen to sign goalkeeper Antonio Dylan D'Silva, Khel Now has learned. The player is currently contracted to Goan club Dempo SC, and Odisha have offered them an undisclosed fee for the 21-year-old.

"Odisha FC want to sign Antonio D'Silva. He has only six months remaining on his current contract at Dempo FC, but Odisha want him in January when the winter transfer window opens - which is why they are prepared to offer a fee for him. The player is also keen to shift base. Therefore, in case, the move doesn't happen in January, it could ahead in the summer. Dempo are currently deciding whether to sell him right now to Odisha, or to let him go at the end of his contract term," sources close to the developments informed Khel Now.

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We also understand that talks between the teams are currently in the advanced stages. This means that the transfer is most likely to happen in January itself. The winter transfer window for this season opens on January 1, 2022.

About the player

Antonio D'Silva began his youth career with Goan club Salgaocar FC. He rose through the ranks there and eventually signed for their U-18 side, before joining FC Goa in 2017. Afterwards, the shot-stopper played for the Gaurs' developmental team in Second Division League, the Durand Cup and Goa Pro League. Ahead of the 2020-21 season, he was also promoted to their first team that played in the ISL.

Earlier this year, the youngster signed with Dempo SC. He also played in Goa Pro League 2021-22. In the previous season of Goa's top-tier league, D'Silva made clocked 884 minutes across nine games and made 14 saves. He also saved two penalties.

Odisha FC's season so far

Odisha are currently at third place in the ISL 2021-22 points' table, with three wins from four games. They beat Bengaluru FC, SC East Bengal and NorthEast United, and lost only against Kerala Blasters so far this season.

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The Juggernauts finished at rock-bottom in their previous ISL campaign, with just two wins from 20 matches. They also conceded 44 goals, the worst record among all teams in a single league season. However, they seem to have learned their lessons from those failures.

During the summer, Odisha FC underwent a major squad overhaul. They replaced the entire foreign contingent from last season, with new signings like Jonathas de Jesus, Javi Hernandez, Hector Rodas and Victor Mongil. The Bhubaneswar-based club also made some key domestic recruitments in Lalruatthara, Sebastian Thangmuansang, Isaac Vanmalsawma and Sahil Panwar.

They also roped in new coaching staff, including the Spaniard Kiko Ramirez who has since done a good job in keeping OFC within the top-four.

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