Panaji:
Star Dempo striker Romeo Fernandes has signed a contract with Brazilian club Clube Altetico Paranaense on loan and will leave shortly for Brazil, Dempo announced today.
Fernandes, who will be the first goan to be trained in the Mega Football arena, said: “I am interested in going to the Brazilian club. Of course, going abroad would help my further development.”
Addressing a press conference, Dempo’s chairman Srinivas Dempo said: “Today is a great moment for our club as one of our young player Romeo Fernandes is all set to join one of the Brazilian club Cube Atletico Paranaense(CAP) on loan.
“The contract is signed and he will be leaving for Brazil in a couple of days. I remember the moment when Romeo was first spotted by our than coach Armando Colaco and latter horned by Arthur Papas, and after his success for FC Goa in the ISL, coach Zico who saw lot of talent in him was responsible along with Beto in getting the Dempo lad to ply his trade in South America.
“At the club, Romeo will get a chance to train with the first team and also be given a salary equivalent to what their Under-23 players receive. He would also be assured of some playing time, unlike most of the Indian players who have left the country to play their trade abroad only to see themselves struggle for game time.
“During his stay in Brazil, the club will take care of his stay with the club during training period which ends December 15. If his service is accquired by the club after the end of the training, Romeo will get good salary and Dempo too will get substantial money which ever club takes his service,” said Srinivas, the club chairman.
Dempo’s coach Arthur Papas said: “The first goan player to go to Brazil is something special in Indian football and I wish him all the best and come back as a better footballer.”
