AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: New boys Rajasthan United have bolstered their ranks ahead of the Hero I-League restart, signing as many as seven new players, the most eye-catching of whom is striker Pedro Manzi. The Spaniard won the Hero I-League title with Chennai City FC in 2018-19, also top-scoring with 26 goals in the process.

The former Mohammedan Sporting and FC Bengaluru United forward is joined by Mauro dos Santos, Sardor Jakhonov, Aman Thapa, Ricky Shabong, Biswa Darjee and Flan Gomes.

Argentine defender dos Santos spent four years in La Liga with the likes of Almeria, Eibar and Leganes coming up against some of the best attackers in the world. Midfielder Jakhonov is a relative unknown, having plied his trade in the first and second tiers of the Uzbekistan and Kyrgyz Republic football leagues.

Midfielders Ricky Shabong and Biswa Darjee have rejoined the club on loan from ATK Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC, respectively, while attacker Flan Gomes has arrived from FC Goa. Shabong has played in the Hero I-League before with Indian Arrows while Darjee was part of the Bengaluru FC side which reached the semifinal of the Durand Cup last year.

Winger Aman Thapa, who played a big role in the club’s successful promotion campaign to the Hero I-League, has also been brought back.