Bernard Mendi, the former French national defender is all set to don East Bengal shirts this season. The 34-year-old defender has not yet received his visa. But according to East Bengal officials, the defender might arrive in Kolkata before East Bengal plays in the derby against Mohun Bagan on 23rd January at the Salt lake Stadium. East Bengal officials had been trying to rope in Mendi already before the start of the ISL this season. But initially, they had to cancel roping in French defender following astronomical monetary demand from the player.
And instead, the East Bengal officials had run after Luke Bright. But after Bright decided not to shift from his Ghanaian club to East Bengal this season, officials of the Kolkata outfit again resumed talks with Mendi and finally the deal got materialized on Tuesday.
However, East Bengal coach Biswajit Bhattacharya got relieved after he knew that Shehenaj Singh, the team’s dependable midfielder’s injury is not serious. Singh got an injury during East Bengal’s previous match against Sporting Clube De Goa.