ISL Transfers: Chennaiyin FC sign Brazilian midfielder Lukas Brambilla

Chennaiyin FC, on Thursday, announced the addition of midfielder Lukas Brambilla to their roster ahead of the 2024-25 season. The Brazilian brings a wealth of experience and skills to the club, having played in various leagues around the world.

Lukas Brambilla has joined the Marina Machans from Cyprus's top-tier club Othellos Athienou.

Joining Chennaiyin on a one-year deal, the midfielder's arrival marks the club's ninth signing for the 2024-25 season and their fourth foreign acquisition, following Elsinho Dias, Chima Chukwu and Wilmar Jordan Gil.

Head coach Owen Coyle expressed his excitement, stating, “Lukas Brambilla is such an exciting player and he adds to the exciting players that we were saying. The young Indian players, in particular, will benefit from his creative skills. Again, can take men on, he scores goals, creates goals, plays set-play delivery, and is excited coming aboard. Obviously, another Brazilian. What a terrific joy at the club with the Brazilians that we have had. It's similar to my time working with Rafa and Brambilla falls into that mould. Just a wonderfully entertaining player, well-skilled and the Brazilian comes with a desire to do well for the football club. So we are excited.”

He added, "The fellas had to beat off a lot of competition for his signature. He was chased all over Europe because of his outstanding season last year in Cyprus and again playing a very good league. So we look forward to working with Lukas and hoping we can help him to shine and blossom and continue to improve as a player."

Lukas Brambilla has excelled in various countries, playing for clubs all over the world. He has played a total of 134 matches in his senior club career and notched up 22 goals and 24 assists with his sublime skills.

Reflecting on his new journey with Chennaiyin FC, the 29-year-old expressed his excitement about joining the club, saying, “I am very happy and honored to join this great club. The expectations are huge and I can't wait to wear this shirt and do my best on the field".

Lukas Brambilla joining Chennaiyin FC represents a major advancement for the club as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Cleiton Silva extends stay at East Bengal FC for another year

East Bengal FC announced that club captain Cleiton Silva has signed a one-year extension that will run until the end of the 2024-25 season. Cleiton was the top scorer in club's triumphant Kalinga Super Cup campaign earlier this year and has scored the most goals for the Red & Golds in the Indian Super League.

Lauding Cleiton’s consistency, Mr Vibhash Vardhan Agarwal of Emami Group said, “Cleiton leads our team from the front and is an inspiration to our young players. He merits a place in our plans for the next season by being our top scorer over the past two years.”

Emami East Bengal FC Head Coach Carles Cuadrat said, “Cleiton Silva has been our top scorer over the past two seasons and leads the team by example. His goals have given us important victories and the East Bengal fans will forever remember his extra-time winner in the Super Cup final, which ended our twelve-year trophy drought at the national level. We are happy to continue working with a top professional like him.”

Cleiton’s extension means that Emami East Bengal now has the top scorers from India’s three major domestic tournaments in its ranks – Dimitrios Diamantakos (ISL), Cleiton Silva (Kalinga Super Cup) and David Lalhlansanga (Durand Cup).

Having joined Emami East Bengal FC from Bengaluru FC in 2022, Cleiton has played 4,594 minutes across 55 games for the Red & Golds, registering 27 goals and 8 assists, including 8 braces. The Brazilian forward was also the joint-top scorer of ISL 2022-23 with 12 goals.

After recording 18 goal contributions (14 goals and 4 assists) in 25 games during his first season with EEB, Cleiton replicated his consistency in the following season with 17 goal contributions (13 goals and 4 assists).

As the numbers indicate, Cleiton has been one of the most successful overseas forwards in Indian football in recent years, with 46 goals and 18 assists to his name across his BFC and EEB stints. The experienced Brazilian is the sixth-highest scorer in ISL history with 36 goals.

Delighted to continue his journey with Emami East Bengal, Cleiton said, “I am thrilled to continue my journey with this great club.

I’ve always given my best for our fans and our badge. Winning the Super Cup with East Bengal will always be one of the greatest moments of my career. A long season awaits us. Keep supporting us as always. Joy East Bengal!”