Hyderabad: Star winger Romeo Fernandes has
become the first-ever Indian footballer to play for a Brazilian club, enjoying
a fairly successful debut in his club Atletico Paranaense's thrashing of
Nacional over the weekend.
Romeo joined Atlético Paranaense on 15 February 2015 on loan from parent
club Dempo until the end of
June 2015, initially joining the U-23 team that competes in the state of
Parana. Atletico PR has the option to renew the contract until December 2015
and thereafter has the option to buy the player from Dempo. Romeo was
promoted to the senior team by the new coach of Atletico PR, Enderson
Moreira after impressing in training.He
made his debut for Atletico Paranaenese on 3rd May in the Campeonato
Paranaenseagainst Nacional PR in the local state competition in the state of
Parana, where Atletico Paranaense are located, coming on for Rafinha in the 67th Minute as a substitute in a 5-0 win
for his team, and thus becoming the first Indian to play in South America
professionally at a senior level.
The 22-year-old, who scored
three goals and two assists in 11 Indian Super League (ISL) appearances for FC
Goa, was brought in the second half during the last round match of the Parana
state league.
The
club made a special mention of him on its website as the first Indian to
feature in a Brazilian league match. Born
in Assolna, Goa, Fernandes arrived here in February and joined Atletico after
the Brazilians inked a training partnership accord with the All India Football
Federation.
An under-23 international, the
winger had been training with the reserves since joining Atletico on loan from
Dempo but was promoted to the senior team in the run-up to the fixture against
Nacional.
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