Mumbai City FC have signed attacking midfielder Rafael Bastos for the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season, Goal can confirm.
The Brazilian-born midfielder has previously worked with newly appointed coach Jorge Costa during his stint with CFR Cluj. Bastos was one of the key figures in Cluj's dream run in the Champions League in 2012. Bastos scored twice against his former club SC Braga in a group stage match to fire his team to a 2-0 win away from home.
Getty Images
Cluj went on beat English giants Manchester United at their own backyard but unfortunately failed to qualify for the knock-out stages in spite of being tied at 10 points with Galatasaray as the Turkish outfit had a better head-to-head record. He also won the Romanian league with Cluj in 2011-12 season.
Getty Images
The 33-year old can play as an attacking midfielder or even slot in at the wings. He is also known for his ability to find the back of the net from set-pieces.
After his stint with Cluj, he joined Saudi Arabian outfit Al Nassr FC and thereafter returned to Brazil to play for Figueirense FC.
In 2017, Thailand's Buriram United managed to sign him and he played an integral role in their league winning campaign of the 2016-17 season.
Mumbai CIty FC had a disappointing run in the previous season of ISL and the management have kept no stone unturned to change their fortunes this season. They have also signed Serbian defender Marko Klisura. The lanky 6ft. 5 defender has mostly plied his trade in the Serbian top tier league before he left for Uzbekistan in 2017.
After joining the Islanders, the Serbian defender said, "This is a new, exciting challenge for me in my career. I’ve heard a lot about the club, the Indian Super League and the city of Mumbai as well. A few Serbians have come to this league before and have left their mark. I cannot wait to get on with the training and try and do the same."
The Ranbir Kapoor co-owned side had previously announced the signing of Matias Mirabaje from Delhi Dynamos.