ISL: East Bengal FC set to sign Saúl Crespo

Indian Super League outfit East Bengal FC is all set to complete the signing of Spanish midfielder Saúl Crespo on a season-long deal, Halfway Football can exclusively confirm.

“East Bengal has reached an agreement with Saúl (Crespo). Carles Cuadrat likes his game. Paperwork will be completed soon,” a source tracking the negotiations informed Halfway Football.

The 26-year-old midfielder hailing from Ponferrada, Spain started his footballing journey in 2010 with Spanish side SD Ponferradina’s youth setup. In 2015, he was loaned to Segunda División B side Atlético Astorga FC for the season. He joined third-division side Arandina CF in 2016 on a loan after returning from Astorga FC.

East Bengal FC is all set to rope in Spanish midfielder Saúl Crespo🇪🇸 on a season-long deal, Halfway Football can exclusively confirm. 💣🔴🟡 #Exclusive #HalfwayFootball #TransferNews #ISL #IndianFootball #EBFC pic.twitter.com/6IShiMy0iF
— Halfway Football (@HalfwayFootball) May 24, 2023

The Spanish defensive-midfielder made 119 career appearances for his boyhood club – Ponferradina, 55 appearances in La Liga 2, and 9 appearances in the prestigious Copa Del Rey.

Odisha FC secured Saul’s service ahead of the ninth edition of the Indian Super League. He clocked over 2000 minutes for the Juggernauts from 26 matches which include 18 ISL appearances, 3 Super Cup matches & 5 Durand Cup fixtures. He also netted the ball three times for his side.

Saul is a versatile midfielder who can play in several positions, including central midfield, defensive midfield, and attacking midfield.

East Bengal FC has been making some serious moves in the market, they made a couple of domestic requirements as well as bringing in experienced Spaniard Borja Herrera and Javier Siverio from Hyderabad FC, who retained the service of Brazilian striker Cletion Silva. Former Bengaluru FC gaffer Carles Cuadrat was appointed as the head coach on a two-year deal and Dimas Delgado was roped in by the club as his assistant.