I-LEAGUE Media Team

NEW DELHI: Sporting Clube de Goa announced the signing of three-time golden boot winner Odafa Oneyka Okolie. The transfer formalities were completed at the clubs headquarters in Panjim, on Monday evening.

Odafa, a former McDowell Mohun Bagan striker, had rejoined Churchill Brothers at the start of the season.

Speaking on the occasion, Odafa expressed his happiness in being back in the top flight of Indian Football and promised to take up the challenge of putting Sporting Goa back on the map.

“I am delighted to have signed for the Flaming Oranje. Their current position does not give a true account of the pedigree and the stature of the club and I will play my part in helping my new team mates get back on track,” remarked Odafa.

Sporting Goa are currently bottom of the Hero I-League table with just three points from eight matches. The recent introduction of the defensive duo Sandesh Jhinghan and Miguel Garcia steadied the ship.

The Flaming Oranje have dominated teams and created ample opportunities in the league so far but have frustratingly fallen short inside the opposition’s box, with only three goals so far.

Odafa’s journey in Indian football started in 2003 in Kolkata with Mohammedan Sporting, before moving to Bangladesh for a short stint with Muktijoddha.

He soon returned to India in 2005 with Churchill Brothers where his sheer athleticism and eye for goal started to flourish. Between 2007 and 2010 he was the I-League’s highest goal scorer for three straight seasons, while also helping Churchill Brothers to win the I-League in 2009.

His success led to a big money move to Kolkata where he donned the colours of Mohun Bagan for three years before moving back to Varca.

“The name Odafa Onyeka Okoli is synonymous with goals in Indian football. We believe his addition to the team will give us that much needed boost. His track record speaks for its self,” stated Sporting Clube de Goa President Peter Vaz.