Mumbai City FC is set to complete the loan signing of Cassio Gabriel, IFTWC can confirm. The move will be completed after the player undergoes medical tests. The Brazilian midfielder signed for Brasileirao Serie B side Vila Nova in June and has appeared in 12 games for them. Cassio, also known as Cassinho, received a loan proposal from Mumbai and is now all set to take the field for the Islanders in the 2021/22 season. The 28-year-old has a contract with Vila Nova till the end of 2022.
Cassinho played for Fluminense’s youth team in 2013 before joining Hajduk Split in Croatia. His stint with Hajduk was his only experience outside of his native country. Since then, he has played for a number of Brazilian clubs, including Botafogo and Penapolense. Playing for Vila Nova, Cassio has started in five games and came off the bench in seven matches. He has also registered one assist to his name. Cassio is primarily an attacking midfielder, but he is also capable of playing as a false-nine and on the left-wing.
With Hugo Boumous leaving Mumbai City FC, Cassio is most likely to step into the role of the Frenchman. Hugo was sold to ATK Mohun Bagan for a record transfer fee of 2.1 crores. Cassio has a playstyle similar to Hugo- gritty but with a flair for creativity. Furthermore, he is a good dribbler and has performed well for all the clubs he has played for.
After winning the double last season, Mumbai City FC has begun preparing for the upcoming ISL season and AFC Champions League. The club has retained only two foreign players from last season- Mourtada Fall and Ahmed Jahouh. Adam le Fondre and Bartholomew Ogbeche, their strike-pair from last season, have left the club. The former returned back to Australia while the latter joined fellow league club Hyderabad FC. Hernan Santana and Cy Goddard have also parted ways with the club.
Cassio Gabriel is Mumbai’s second foreign signing this season after Igor Angulo. The Brazilian joins the enticing midfield trio of Lalengmawia Apuia, Ahmed Jahouh, and Rowlin Borges at Mumbai.
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