NorthEast United FC has made yet another big announcement with the signings of Portuguese defender Miguel Garcia, Zambian midfielder Kondwani Mtonga and Greek goalkeeper Alexandros Tzorvas for the inaugural edition of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) which will kick off on the October 12.

Miguel Garcia is a Youth Academy product of Sporting Clube de Portugal, for whom he had his senior team debut appearance in the 2003-04 season. The Portuguese midfielder has also played in the UEFA Cup Finals for Sporting Lisbon in 2005 and the UEFA Europa League Final for Sporting Club de Braga in 2011.

The 31 year old defender has also played for Italian club Reggina Calcio during the 2007-2008 season. After his one year stint with the Italian club he inked a new six-month deal with Portugal’s Sporting Clube Olhanense in 2009. He also featured for Sporting Clube de Braga (2010-11) before moving to Turkey to play for Orduspor (2011-13). He then went on to sign for Spanish club Real Club Deportivo Mallorca (2013-14). Garcia was also part of the Spanish U-21 national team which finished third in the 2004 UEFA U-21 European Championship.

On signing his contract with NorthEast United FC Garcia stated, “I am very happy to be a part of this club. I have been in Shillong for a week now and everyone here is very friendly.”

“All the boys are working really hard on their fitness and skill during training sessions. Playing for NorthEast United is a big challenge for me as I need to adapt to how football is played here and I am looking forward to a good season with this club.”

NorthEast United FC has also signed Zambian international Kondwani Mtonga to bolster the squad for the first season of the Hero Indian Super League. The 30 year old is a versatile player as he can play either as a centre back or as a defensive midfielder. Mtonga has played for Zamtel Ndola in 2007 and he had a successful term with Zesco United since 2008.

He has now made a switch to NorthEast United FC and expressed his delight on signing for the club by stating, “I am very happy to be here; meeting all my team mates and club officials. I am very excited to be part of the Hero Indian Super League and I am looking forward to play in front of the NorthEast United FC fans. I will do my best to help the team win.”

Another big signing made by NorthEast United FC is the one of former Greece World Cupper Alexandros Tzorvas. The goalkeeper started playing football in the Panathinaikos Football Academy and went on to play for various football clubs in Greece from 2001 to 2011, before he went on to play for Italian clubs US Città di Palermo and Genoa CFC in the 2011-12 season and 2012-13 season respectively.

Tzorvas has played for the Greek Under-21 national team and also for the senior national team since 2008. He was the first choice goalkeeper for his country in the 2010 FIFA World Cup and also during the 2012 UEFA EURO.

With these three big announcements NEUFC has managed to effectively sign players whose versatility and skill will only add to their goal to win the ISL and hope to maintain sustainability and loyalty amongst its fan following.