Jose Barreto officially joins Bhowanipore Club

Brazilian Jose Marcio Ramirez Barreto on Friday signed a two year contract with aspiring Calcutta Premier Division side Bhowanipore Club just days after playing his final game for his long-time club Mohun Bagan AC. Barreto joining Bhowanipore was the worst kept secret in the Kolkata football circuit in recent weeks.

Fellow Brazilian Robson Mattos, who also has been at Mohun Bagan in the past, has been appointed as the new coach. The club also announced that Barreto would captain the side and will wear the No. 10 jersey that was presented to him on Friday.

"It's time to move forward. They approached me first and I readily accepted. They have a vision to move ahead," Barreto said at a programme at the clubs Maidan tent.

For Barreto at 35 it is a new start and an opportunity to help the aspiring club reach the I-League, which it didn't achieve in their first-ever participation in the 2nd Division this season.

That the Mohun Bagan chapter is closed for him was evident in his answer about what he would feel if he took on Mohun Bagan and even went on to score. "I'm a professional! All goals I score will be important for me and the club."

Bhowanipore surely have gained a new leader in one of the most liked footballers around.