ISL 2017: Mumbai City FC sign Brazilian midfielder Thiago Santos on loan

The professional has made only one start for Flamengo till now and will be craving for playing minutes in India.

FC have brought in Brazilian attacking midfielder Thiago Santos on a season-long loan from Flamengo, further bolstering their side ahead of the (ISL).

Santos, a 22-year old professional, who had won the U-20 Rio de Janeiro league back in 2015, is the fifth Brazilian roped in by the club, after the signings of Marcio Rosario, Gerson Vieira, Leo Costa and Santos. Having spent his youth career at the club, the lanky professional fell down the pecking order after suffering a ligament injury early this year.

With only 175 minutes of league football under his belt in the last couple of seasons, Thiago would hope to earn regular playing opportunities in to make up for the lost ground compared to his peers.

The Ranbir Kapoor co-owned club have Indian midfielders like Sehnaj Singh, Sanju Pradhan, Abinash Ruidas and Savil Tavora in their ranks, but will have to depend on foreigners for the number 10 spot, a close look at the squad suggests.

Mumbai City had qualified for the semi-finals in 2016 for the first time and have retained Alexandre Guimaraes as their head coach for another season. The outfit lost many of its stars like Sunil Chhetri, Udanta Singh, Brandon Fernandes to its rivals but will be aiming big once again having signed Amrinder Singh, Balwant Singh, Mehrajuddin Wadoo et al.

Brazilian firepower added to our squad! 🔥

Welcoming 22 year old, Thiago Santos on a season long loan deal from Flamengo! 🙌#BoleTohMCFC pic.twitter.com/feAQ87Vdyy — Mumbai City FC (@MumbaiCityFC) September 3, 2017

The team is expected to fly out to for their pre-season training.

Mumbai City FC foreigners:

Lucian Goian, Marcio Rosario, Gerson Vieira (all Defenders), Leo Costa, Achille Emana, Thiago Santos (all midfielders), Rafa Jorda, Santos (all strikers).