KOLKATA: In a major setback to SC East Bengal, still reeling under a continuous tussle between the investor-led management and club officials, Nigerian Bright Enobakhare has decided to say goodbye to the red and golds camp and return to Coventry City.
The English club, which plays in the Championship (second tier of English football league), confirmed on Tuesday that the Nigerian playmaker has agreed to a two-year contract with the Sky Blues, with the club having the option of a further year extension.
Although Bright's contract with SC East Bengal expired after the ISL season, the Nigerian was understood to be very much in British head coach Robbie Fowler's scheme of things. The 23-year-old added some real sparks to the red-and-golds' otherwise forgettable debut season in the ISL, scoring a stunning goal against FC Goa.
SC East Bengal finished ninth in the 11-team competition, which was held behind closed doors in Goa.
Bright earlier played for Coventry via a loan spell from Wolves in the 2018-19 season. The Nigerian's latest move means that SC East Bengal can avail of his service again only through a loan deal with Coventry.
SC East Bengal's participation in the season-opening CFL Premier Division 'A' still hangs in balance with the club officials yet to sign the definite term sheet from investor Shree Cement Ltd.
The IFA has already given the SCEB a seven-day deadline to come clear on the confusion over their participation in the CFL. The investor-led management has decided to stall all team building processes until the club agrees to put to paper the final agreement. The club, on the other hand, has demanded a few amendments to the term sheet, thus leading to the imbroglio in the less-than-a-year-old joint venture between the two parties.
