NorthEast United FC's new signings - Alexandros Tzvoras (L), Kondwani Mtonga (C) and Miguel Garcia.NorthEast United FC today announced the signing of Greek international goalkeeper Alexandros Tzorvas, Portuguese defender Miguel Angelo Moita Garcia, and Zambian midfielder Kondwani Mtonga. They add to the roster of eight foreign players NorthEast United have previously announced for the Hero Indian Super League, including marquee signing Joan Capdevila of Spain.The 32-year-old Tzorvas has earned 16 international caps for Greece and figured in the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2012 European Championships as first-choice goalkeeper. He began his career as a junior with the celebrated Greek outfit Panathinaikos (he had two spells with the club) and also had stints with other clubs in Greece. He has further plied his trade in Italy (Palermo and Genoa).One of his greatest career achievements was his spectacular showing in the home-and-away playoff matches against Ukraine during the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. He defied wave after wave of Ukrainian attacks over 180 minutes and helped Greece book a ticket to South Africa with a 1-0 aggregate win.The 31-year-old right-back Miguel Garcia has represented Portugal in the under-21 European Championships where his team finished third. He is a product of the youth team of Sporting Clube de Portugal. He also turned out for Reggina (Italy), Olhanense, Braga (both Portugal) and Orduspor (Turkey) before linking up with Mallorca in Spain last season. Garcia has been in Shillong for a week, and said he had been given a warm welcome by his new city, claiming that “everyone here is very friendly”. The defender also added that playing for NorthEast United is a “big challenge” and he would “need to adapt to how football is played here”.Zambian Kondwani Mtonga is a versatile defensive midfielder who can also function as a centre-back when required. He has played for clubs in his home country for his entire career, with this being his first venture abroad. Speaking about his participation in the ISL, Mtonga said he was “very happy to be here” and excited at the prospect of playing in front of the NorthEast United FC fans.
