Kolkata: Ugandan defender Ivan Bukenya will arrive in the city on Thursday morning to give trials at East Bengal club. The 6 ft 4 inches tall defender will come from Dubai by a Emirates flight. The footballer will be heading straight to his accommodation (the club officials have decided not to disclose his address) from the airport. It has been decided he will come to the club on Friday since he will be suffering from jet lag.
The 25 year footballer who last played for South African side Kaizer Chiefs has quite an impressive CV.
Bukenya was part of the Iraqi side Arbil SC who played the final of AFC Cup in 2012. The Iraqi team also made it to the knock out stages of the next edition. The African footballer also helped Arbil to win the Iraqi Premier League. He also played 20 matches for the national team. He can play in both defence and midfield position.
East Bengal who has already signed Haitian international Wedson Anselme will look to bolster their defence. The Red and Golds were in talks to sign Delhi Dynamos defender Anas Edathodika, but the Kerala footballer has been demanding a hefty price to get him signed.
East Bengal coach Trevor James Morgan has also referred Bukenya’s name to the club officials. The footballer will be giving trials at the club at the beginning of next month in front of Morgan. If he passes the test then he will be the second foreign recruit of the club for the forthcoming I League season.
The forthcoming I-League is all set to start from January 07 next year.
Here is the video of Bukenya plying his trade for Kaiser Chiefs in South Africa:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ULunmG4e18