Mumbai, 19th July 2016: Mumbai City FC today announced the signing of two overseas players from Brazil and Romania for the third season of the Indian Super League. These overseas stars are said to be strategic additions to further strengthen the defense of the team. Their experience will provide a rock-solid base for Mumbai City FC in the upcoming season.
Roberto Volpato Netto, originally a Brazilian Goalkeeper, was part of the team that finished runners-up in the CONMEBOL Copa Sudamericana in 2013. Netto has amassed a lot of on-field playtime, garnering valuable experience in top Brazilian and Portuguese leagues, including having played for pedigreed clubs such as Vasco da Gama. At 6' 4", the commanding goalkeeper makes for a formidable figure at the goal post.
Pic - Lucian Goian
Pic - Roberto Valpato Netto
Lucian Goian, the former U-21 centre back for his home country has spent the majority of his career playing in the top division of the Romanian League and emerged a two-time Romanian Cup Winner, including the most recent one in 2015-16. Goian recently played under new coach Alexandre Guimaraes at the Chinese Super League side Tianjin Teda. He has played for top clubs such as Dinamo București in the UEFA Champions League, and comes in with a lot of experience at the best level.
Alexandre Guimarães, Coach, Mumbai City FC said “Lucian and Roberto form an integral and solid part of our team. They have both played at the highest levels and provide great awareness and experience in the centre-back and goalkeeping departments respectively. I know Lucian very well from having coached him in China, and I can't wait for Roberto and him to join the rest of the squad and defend the fortress."
About Mumbai City Football Club:
Mumbai City FC is Mumbai’s franchise in the Hero Indian Super League. Bollywood actor and football enthusiast Ranbir Kapoor and chartered accountant Bimal Parekh together own the team. The team’s logo is a reflection of a resilient fortress that stands proudly, surrounding the logo that signifies the unrelenting, determined spirit of the city. The seven stars symbolise the islands that form Mumbai. Trains that are the very lifeline of the city ply millions of Mumbaikars across its vast expanse and connect these islands. Each passenger, each citizen of the city, is bound together by their love for the place they call home. 20 million citizens, 20 million hearts pulse to a single beat - the heartbeat of Mumbai. Mumbai City Football Club has displayed a consistent performance in season one and two and has been recognized as a distinguished attacking contingent.