SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: The Goan powerhouse Sporting Clube de Goa, who have been continuously working towards promoting Goan talent, announced that their defender George D'Souza has been signed by Indian Super League side Odisha FC.
The left foot dynamite became Sporting Clube de Goa’s eighth Goan player out of the current 19 players to join the ISL sides thereby contributing more than 40 percent of Goan players in the Indian Super League.
Brandon Gomes, Seriton Fernandes, Rowllin Borges, Keenan Almeida, Joyner Lourenco, Adil Khan were the previous six players who were launched by the Club to Professional before Glan Martins and now George D'Souza signed for ATK and Odisha FC respectively for the upcoming seasons.
The 26-year old, Baga-based lad had an impressive campaign for the Flaming Oranje in the Goa Professional League scoring four goals and assisting a couple in the current campaign, making him the latest Flaming Oranje to progress.
He holds a unique record for Sporting as he has been the only player to feature in every game for the Club in the Goa Pro League this season. The full-back has a strong left foot which adds to his strength further to being an excellent crosser of the ball and is always there upfront when Sporting Clube de Goa attacks, thus exhibiting his natural instincts.
George’s left foot free-kicks are second to none. Brandon was another player with such a good caliber, but his were more of an artistic with precision while George was all about power and target. The 26-year old is brilliant in dead ball situations too.
Sporting Clube de Goa, the one-man club, owner and President, Peter Vaz was elated that another of his Club's product was signed by an ISL Club. He said, "I am very happy that my product has been signed by Odisha FC. George has been a disciplined and focused player throughout his five-year period with the Club. He has been one of the outstanding players of my squad this season."
Peter Vaz further added, ”George has one of the best left foot in Indian football. His free-kicks are deadly. This is just the first step and I hope he goes on to represent the country. I hope he emulates other Goans in the top league.”
Sporting Clube de Goa strongly believed in promoting Goan talent at the top level and has a strong Youth Development system which has groomed and nurtured players over the years who went on to graduate from the Club Academy. The Club holds a distinct identity of being the first and only Goan Club to win the Junior I-League crown in 2008.
Sporting Clube de Goa CEO Welvin Menezes stated, “The Club would like to thank George D'Souza for his contribution in our Club’s goals. He has been at his best this season and we wish him good luck for his future.”
Sporting Clube de Goa Manager Angelo Albuquerque stated, "I am very happy for George and wish him the very best for the future. I would also like to congratulate his parents for their moral support and encouragement given to him throughout."
