ISL 2015: Atletico de Kolkata set to sign Dudu Omagbemi to replace Josemi in the squad

Dudu Omagbemi played in the ISL last year with FC Pune City

Defending champions Atletico de Kolkata are closing in on the signing of former East Bengal star Dudu Omagbemi as a replacement of Josemi. The former Champions League winner with Liverpool was a key member of the title-winning Atletico de Kolkata squad last season, but the defender has started just once for them this season.

Atletico’s chances of qualifying for the semi-finals has been hampered after injuries to several key players. Helder Postiga is yet to recover from the injury he picked in the first game of the season against Chennaiyin FC while Valdo, Arata Izumi and Jewel Raja also spending time in the injury room.

Josemi has not traveled with the squad that will face Mumbai City FC tomorrow and might now return to Spain to continue his recovery. An official statement is expected from Atletico de Kolkata in a couple of days once they complete the signing of Dudu, who is currently in Finland. Dudu featured for FC Pune City last season scoring three goals.

The 30-year-old has featured for several sides in the I-League, with his most recent stint with Mohun Bagan for whom he featured in the Calcutta Football League and finished as the top goalscorer in the tournament. Dudu started his career with Sporting Clube de Goa in 2001 and was a regular goal scorer in the National Football League.

After his impressive performances in India, Dudu was signed by Polish side WislÂ?a Kraków in 2007 and then had spells with several clubs in Poland, Finland and Hungary. He then returned for India in 2013 and featured for Salgaocar and East Bengal.

More to follow