East Bengal FC Signs Venezuelan Striker Richard Celis for the Season

Kolkata, January 7 (NationPress) East Bengal FC has officially signed the services of Venezuelan national team forward Richard Enrique Celis Sanchez for the remainder of the current season.

Celis was last seen on the field with Venezuela’s first-division club Academia Puerto Cabello in October 2024.

Expressing his enthusiasm about joining Emami East Bengal FC, Celis stated, “I am excited to become a part of East Bengal - a club that boasts a rich legacy and fervent supporters. This marks a new chapter in my career, and I eagerly anticipate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in Indian Football. Joy East Bengal!”

A versatile forward, Celis can occupy both the left-wing and centre-forward positions. He has played for numerous top-tier clubs in Venezuela including Atletico Venezuela CF, Deportivo JBL, Caracas FC, and Academia Puerto Cabello, and has also competed with Millonarios FC in Colombia and FK Senica in Slovakia. Additionally, he has represented the Venezuelan national team in prestigious tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and the Copa America.

The head coach of Emami East Bengal FC, Oscar Bruzon, expressed, “We anticipate that Richard’s talent, skills, dedication, and resolve will reflect East Bengal’s core values. We trust he’ll have a substantial impact as we pursue success together.”

The 28-year-old brings a wealth of experience, having netted crucial goals in over 250 top-tier club matches across both domestic leagues and the Copa Libertadores. Celis played a significant role in aiding Caracas secure the Venezuelan Primera Division title in 2019 and was instrumental in Millonarios’ victory during the 2022 Copa Colombia.

Welcoming Celis to the Emami East Bengal FC roster, Vibhash Vardhan Agarwal from Emami Group said, “We are pleased to welcome Richard to the team. We trust that his skill and goal-scoring ability will enhance our attack as we aim to fulfill our objectives in the concluding phase of the season.”