Lalrindika Ralte signs two-year contract extension as Johnny Acosta leaves East Bengal

The Kolkata-based club has confirmed on Wednesday that Ralte, who is more popularly known as “Dika”, has renewed his contract by two years while defensive general Acosta left the team.   

“Dika (as Lalrindika is fondly called) is delighted to be continuing under the able coaching and guidance of coach Alejandro Memendez and regards the supporters as the best in the country,” the club said in a statement after the players completed their final training session of the season, reported TOI.

Dika was the second Mizoram player to extend his stay with the club after Brandon Vanlalremdika did the same prior to him. It would be serving as a massive boost for the club as the left midfield player helped East Bengal finish their season on a high. Apart from a second place finish in the I-League after winners Chennai City, EB also managed to do a double over arch-rivals Mohun Bagan.  

The Costa Rican international was one of the better players of the league last season after he signed with the club in July last year. He went on to play 18 matches for East Bengal and him leaving only points towards the growing rumour in the club that the management has been planning on reshuffling their foreign core.

“I say goodbye… with the satisfaction of knowing that in each game I gave my best. The objective will always be the same, but now with another course. Thanks to the great support of their fans to whom I thank in the same way all the love given in this time, I carry them in my heart, they are the best,” Acosta wrote on his Instagram account.