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Atlético Paranaense sign Indian youngster Romeo Fernandes

Atlético Paranaense sign Indian youngster Romeo Fernandes

Atlético Paranaense sign Indian youngster Romeo Fernandes

Brazilian outfit Clube Atlético Paranaense have signed Indian youngster Romeo Fernandes on loan from Dempo SC. Romeo played for FC Goa in the inaugural season of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL).

Dempo SC made the announcement that the club reached an agreement for the loan transfer of Romeo Fernandes from the five-ime I-League winners to Clube Atletico Paranaense on a one year deal which will see one of Goa’s and India’s most promising young players ply his trade with the U-23 squad of the Brazilian titans which participates in the Campeonato Paranaense (the Paraná State League).

Clube Atlético Paranaense (CAP) is the biggest football club of Paraná State, South of Brazil and has a rich tradition of developing and bringing through youth team players to their first team. The club was founded on March 26th, 1924 and its stadium Arena da Baixada in Curitiba was one of the host stadiums for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Clube Atlético Paranaense and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) signed a cooperation agreement in order to operate jointly in training Indian footballers. The main objectives are to share know-how, managerial and training processes, always guided by the principle of the transfer of football knowledge. The agreement was intended as a preparation tool for the India U-17 National Team since the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup will be held in India.

Commenting on the deal to take Romeo to Curitiba, Luiz Greco, International Affairs Director, Clube Atlético Paranaense said “Our scouting department followed the Indian Super League and, for sure, Romeo Fernandes was its most promising player. We believe in his potential, and coming to CAP, he will have the best conditions for his development.”

Dempo SC chairman Srinivas Dempo stated “I am greatly enthused by the valuable opportunity Romeo is gaining by the move to Brazil to be part of the iconic soccer powerhouse, Clube Atletico Paranaense. Brazil, for us in Goa, India, as for the rest of the world, is synonymous with inspiring football – skilful, spirited, successful, and Atlético Paranaense embodies the best of Brazilian (and indeed, South American) football. It is wonderful that the Clube is partnering the Indian federation in developing the game in our country while fostering an amazing diversity of football talent from across the world in Curitiba.”

When quizzed about how it feels to be moving to Brazil to further his game and career, the man of the hour Romeo had this to say, “I feel extremely honoured to have received an offer from CAP which boasts of having one of the best facilities for player development in South America. I would like to thank all my former and present coaches who have coached me and guided me to this stage. I am extremely grateful to our Chairman Mr. Shrinivas Dempo, my coach at Dempo, Arthur Papas, and my coach at FC Goa, Zico, for his support in making this deal happen.”