Ronaldo Dinolis (Getty Images)

KOLKATA: East Bengal’s search for a foreign striker seems to be over as the club has set sights on Panama international Ronaldo Dinolis to bolster the squad ahead of their I-League campaign.

Ronaldo is currently playing for Santos de Guapiles FC in the Costa Rican league. Although no official announcement has been made, the club is learnt to have reached an agreement with the Costa Rican club and the Panama international will be loaned out to play for East Bengal for a year.

The 23-year-old made his Panama debut in an international friendly against Grenada last year and scored two goals.

“We are in talks with Ronaldo and his club. Hopefully, we’ll be able to see him wear the red-and-gold jersey during the I-League,” a club official said.

No player from Panama has played for any Kolkata club.

In another development, Costa Rican World Cupper Johnny Acosta’s clearance arrived at the club on Tuesday night and the defender is expected to be registered as an East Bengal player on Friday , thus paving the way for his likely debut in the CFL derby against Mohun Bagan two days later .

“Acosta is in good shape. He is training well and jelling with other members of the team during practice sessions. He is ready to play,” the official said.

Since having entered into a joint venture with the Quess Corp, East Bengal club has made right noises in the past couple of months. The club has announced that it has reached an agreement with Spanish coach Alejandro Menendez Garcia to take charge of the team ahead of the I-League.

Garcia was a former Real Madrid youth team coach.

