Canadian Menezes signs with red devils

Mumbai, Nov 17 (UNI) Mahindra United completed the signing of their third foreign player for the 2006-07 football season in Canadian Tony Menezes, it was announced at a news conference held at the Mahindra Towers here today.

The 31-year-old will add his experience as a player to the NFL champions. Menezes has played in three continents having played for Brazilian division I side Botafogo, for Chinese side Ganzu and in North America for the Toronto Lynx. Menezes has had the honour of playing for the Canadian national team earning 27 caps while playing the likes of Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, United States of America etc.

He was given his jersey after he signed the contract officially with Mahindra United president Alan Durante. Menezes was joined by another new signing in Portuguese striker Filippe Azavedo and accomplished striker Yusuf Yakubu as they were officially presented to the media and handed their jerseys.

In his address to the media, Menezes spoke of the challenge it posed to him saying, ''I realize the fact that I have played at a level that is higher than the level in India but there is a conscious effort to improve. That will make me push my game and the game of players around me so that we can achieve success not only at home but in Asia.'' He has already had a brief session with the club and described his experience saying, ''There is a professional attitude at this club which governs the functioning right upto the president. Also I found the team to be a tight knit bunch and bound like a family.'' Menezes said he looked forward to the opportunity to play with the team beginning with the second match of the Durand Cup.

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