I-League 2017: East Bengal deliver a shocker, snatch captain Katsumi Yusa from Mohun Bagan

EAST BENGAL HAVE SENT seismic shockwaves through the transfer market by snapping up former Mohun Bagan captain Katsumi Yusa.

The Japanese attacking midfielder who also plays as a right winger joined the Mariners way back in 2013 after a spell with Air India. Immediately he won the hearts of the Mohun Bagan fans with his calm on-field demeanor and work ethics.

He was a key part of head coach Sanjoy Sen's strategy that saw the Green and Maroons re-emerge as a major force in Indian football. When Mohun Bagan won the I-League in 2014-15, Katsumi was leading from the front. He was there when Mohun Bagan lifted the Federation Cup next season, and then challenged for the title in both the major national competitions in 2016-17. He wore the captain's armband for 2 seasons, and a goal he scored against East Bengal in Calcutta Football League has already entered the Indian football folklore.

That Katsumi was about to leave Mohun Bagan was made obvious when the Mariners signed another Japanese midfielder Yuta Katsumi for their I-League 2017-18 campaign. But few would have thought that the Mohun Bagan captain would join their arch-rivals straight away.

Katsumi, who was given the nick-name 'Fukushima Bomber' by Mohun Bagan fans, will join the East Bengal roster ahead of the commencement of the top flight I-League in November. He is the first major signing announcement made by East Bengal in a season they are desperately struggling to re-assert themselves as title contenders in the national top division.

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