KOLKATA: Antonio Rodriguez Dovale is raring to go in his new challenge as the 28-year-old Spaniard is set for his much-anticipated debut in
East Bengal
jersey against Indian Arrows next week.
Dovale, popularly called Toni, was registered as East Bengal player at the IFA office on Friday. He joined Alejandro Menendez's side as a replacement of Syrian playmaker Mahmoud Al-Amna, who was released last month because of an injury. Amna didn't play any match in East Bengal's ongoing
I-League
campaign.
Having joined the side in early December and trained with the first team under Menendez, Dovale insisted that he's ready to fire for his new club.
"I've been training with the players for the past few weeks. So, adaptability won't be an issue," Dovale said.
Menendez, who has gone back to Spain, is expected to take charge of the team on Sunday and the team is scheduled to leave for Bhubaneswar the next day to take on AIFF development side Arrows on Tuesday.
With injured Mexican striker Enrique Esqueda back in Spain for rehabilitation, Dovale's inclusion is a timely boost for Menendez's side, ahead of some crucial fixtures of this month. After Arrows, East Bengal will travel to Coimbatore to take on current league leaders Chennai City FC (24 points from 11 games) on January 14 and then return home to face Arrows again (on January 18) and Mohun Bagan (on January 27).
Dovale, who played for Bengaluru FC last season, is also excited to play in the derby against Mohun Bagan.
"I know the excitement and the supporters' expectations around this match. But our target is winning the league and we are ready to give hundred per cent in achieving that goal," Dovale said.