I-LEAGUE

Kerala United FC sign Young Brazilian forward Gabriel Lima

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There is still a clue to Gabriel De Lima Da Silva that how can he settle with Kerala United. It took him more than twenty hours to get from Sao Paulo for all he knows. Last year in Ukraine, he went to Donetsk and it felt like half a world away. But it definitely took a few extra hours for Kerala to reach him and he is now far away from home.

“In Brazil, everyone loves football. If people here love football, then I think I’m home. I’m on my adaptation time. Soon, I’ll give my best for the team,” – Says the 6″4 tall Defender (Gabriel)

Gabriel did not know that the streets here are made, or that the Malayali psyche was admired by Paulo Coelho and Roberto Carlos. He has been informed, however, that football is North Kerala’s most popular and that reassures the 20-year-old.

Gabriel’s not the Brazilian’s first club signature in the State. Kerala has been fielding at least half a dozen over the years, and Gokulam Kerala has tested two. This was the first time a young Brazilian footballer joined Kerala’s second division club. This doesn’t seem like a smart career move on him face.

“I was with Atibaia and there were offers from other clubs in Brazil. But my agent made business with Kerala (United) and when I saw the offer I saw an opportunity. It is a good project.” -.said the 20-year-old defender.

But Gabriel, who had a short stint last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic with the Ukrainian heavyweight team of Shakhtar Donetsk, did the right thing.

Gabriel and Kerala United’s Preparation for the I-league Qualifiers

He called Raphael Crivellaro, who is playing for Chennaiyin FC in the ISL, to learn more about football in India. The short dialogue helped him to stick to his choice.

Gabriel was Kerala United’s first foreign signature. Here already, football fans have been attracted by their ambition to compete against Kerala Blasters and Gokulam Kerala, the two leading clubs in the state.

As the United World Group in Saudi Arabia has taken over Quartz FC and started Kerala United, some exciting movements have taken place in the domestic transfer market. Kerala United also roped lead trainer Bino George to lead its first team in addition to Gabriel’s recruitment.

The 20-yesr-old defender was Kerala United FC’s first foreign signature.They aim to qualify for the I-League, India’s second-level competition behind (ISL), and will play the Qualifiers in October.

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