Willis Plaza arrives in city to play for East Bengal

T&T striker know Cornell Glenn & Anthony Wolfe

Plaza
East Bengal’s third foreigner Willis Plaza at the Netaji Subhash International airport in Kolkata on Thursday. Image Source: Xtra Time

Kolkata: East Bengal’s third foreigner Willis Plaza arrived in the city tonight from Abu Dhabi. The Trinidad and Tobago striker was visibly tired after a long flight from the Caribbean. Willis will join East Bengal training from Friday.

The Trinidad & Tobago striker will be wearing Jersey No. 9 in his new club. The last time the No. 9 jersey at East Bengal was worn by Alvito D’Counha. The Goan midfielder has been wearing this jersey for 14 long years, ever since he joined the Kolkata club. On being asked about Willis wearing the same number, Alvito said to xtratime.in , “Wish Willis to have a great season and score more goals with Jersey No. 9 and help East Bengal win the I League. I have a long association with the club and has always wore that jersey number.”

29 year old Willis Plaza has played 23 matches for his country. He has scored 7 goals with the national team. His last international goal came against China in the last FIFA Friendly Trinidad and Tobago played in June. The 6ft 2 inches tall striker also scored 5 goals in 8 appearances for his present club San Juan Jabloteh in this season.

Talking exclusively to xtratime.in, the Trinidadian striker said, “My aim is to establish myself here in Indian football.”

On being asked whether he has any idea about East Bengal and Indian football, Plaza said, “I only know Cornell Glenn and Anthony Wolfe. I do not have much idea about Indian football.”

Willis name has been referred by East Bengal’s new assistant coach Warren Hackett, who also hails from the Caribbean islands. Hackett hails from St Lucia but has spent most of his career in England. The striker has recently played a match against Ma Pau on Wednesday in the Trinidad & Tobago Pro League. The match ended in a 1-1 stalemate.

Willis will be the third foreigner to be signed for East Bengal after Ivan Bukenya and Wedson Anselme.