Lajong’s Edinho arrives

SHILLONG, MARCH 12: Edinho Júnior, a Portuguese national of Brazilian parentage, who is plying his trade in the English second division, arrived here on Tuesday to join Shillong Lajong FC on a short-term loan, the first signing from a major footballing nation in the history of Indian football.

A media release issued by the club said Edinho, the son of former Brazilian International footballer Edon do Amaral Neto, will be training at the third Polo ground from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesay.  Edinho moved to Blackburn Rovers from Olhanense last year. He will play his first I-League match against Pune FC on March 24, a game that will be telecast live on Ten Action at 7PM.

Edinho is expected to add impetus to Lajong’s campaign for the remainder of the 2012-13 I-League season. The 18-year-old centre forward will add an edge to the club’s striking options.  Lajong have been languishing at the bottom of the I-League table. The challenge before the club is to win as many matches as possible to ensure it remains in the top league next season as well.

Lajong’ is the first club from the north-east to have qualified for the I-League, and have been performing admirably well amongst the big boys of Indian football since then. At the forefront of the development of football in the country, Shillong Lajong recently became the first-ever Indian football club to have had a strategic stake taken by Anglian Holdings. The Meghalaya-based club boasts of an impressive youth system as well. With an eye to aid in the development of Indian football, Anglian Holdings has also invested in Danish 1st Division Club FC.(By Our Reporter)