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I-League side Pune FC have made Goan winger Jovel Martins their second signing for the 2013-14 season. The 22-year old left-footer from Curtorim in South Goa, has been brought in alongside forward Prakash Thorat in Pune FC’s process of building a young squad.Chirag Tanna, Pune FC Head Operations, said, “Pune FC welcomes Jovel on board. I am sure his age syncs with our objectives of building a youthful and exciting side for the season. I wish him all the best during his stint with us.”
Jovel Martins said, “I am happy to be handed this opportunity. I believe hard work pays and I am one who is willing to stretch the distance. I am excited on my first opportunity to play outside Goa. I thank all at Pune FC for the trust they have in me.2
Jovel began his senior professional career at Sporting Clube de Goa after spending considerable time with Sporting Clube’s junior teams. Jovel made it to the Senior team in the 2010/11 season, when the Goans earned promotion to the I-League.
After making few appearances in his debut season, Jovel broke into the starting line-up in the beginning of the 2011/12 season. A string of impressive performances on the left-flank in the early competitions leading up to the I-League helped him cement his place. In his debut top-flight season, Jovel featured 16 times to help side finish in eighth place.
The pacy winger continued to put in consistent performances in the following season (2012/13), which enabled him regularly feature on the left-flank as an attacker and defender respectively.
Despite a change in Coach mid-way through the season, Jovel ended up amassing 19 starts, playing almost 1600 minutes, to help his side to a top-half, 6th place finish in the I-League.
The versatile youngster is comfortable playing either as a left-winger or left-back, given his pin-point crossing and quickness on the flank.
Jovel thus becomes the sixth Goan player to feature for Pune FC in the top-flight after defenders Caitano Costa (2008-Current), Selwyn Fernandes (2009-11), midfielders Godwin Franco (2009-10), Velito Cruz (2010-11) and Velington Rocha (2012-Current).
The young winger thus joins statemates Costa and Rocha at Pune FC for the new season.
