East Bengal sign Costa Rican international Johnny Acosta

The defender is set to become the 'marquee' player for the Red and Gold in the upcoming season. 

East Bengal have roped in Costa Rican centre-back Johnny Acosta, who played a part in the country's FIFA World Cup 2018 campaign only a few days ago. Acosta, who is known to be a sturdy defender, will probably join the club in August and the new sponsorship deal with Quess Corp. has helped Bengal secure the big-money buy.

The defender is set to join the club next month

It is believed that Bengal will pay around $200,000 to Acosta (which is around ₹1.36 cr) and will be securing his services for the season ahead. This salary will also be much more than the club Acosta is playing for right now in Rionegro Aguilas. This will be a huge signing for the Red and Gold, who look to mean business after agreeing the major sponsorship deal with Quess Corp a week ago.

Acosta has played for a wide range of clubs in his career, but gained prominence during his time at Alajuelense in his native.

Acosta was given a tribute by his former club Rionegro Águilas Doradas

 

The defender has made over 70 appearances for Costa Rica and will definitely add a lot of experience to East Bengal's defense, who were guilty of being quite inconsistent under manager Khalid Jamil last season. Acosta was also one of the senior-most members of the Costa Rican defense at the World Cup and gave some pretty decent performances, despite his team ending up last in a highly competitive group E.

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"East Bengal FC is one of the greatest clubs of India, I need to append myself with Indian football, I need to convey my best for my new club. My maxim is to encourage the other Indian footballers and guide them legitimately. I likewise need to win the trophy for Quess East Bengal FC," said Acosta to East Bengal Samachar.

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This big deal also means that East Bengal must be in advance talks to participate in the Indian Super League (ISL) next season, after it was announced by Secretary Debabrata Sarkar that the Red and Gold would bid for a place in the ISL if the process was open. The big-money capture of Acosta is an indication that there's been progress in talks to join the cash-rich league.

East Bengal will begin their Calcutta Football League campaign later this month and will look to win their ninth successive title with new manager Bastob Roy at the helm. But, most of the focus in the next few weeks will be revolving around their chances of participating in the ISL and how they build a revamped, star-studded squad for that.