East Bengal FC has roped in Serbian defender Aleksandar Pantic for the remainder of the current ISL replacing Jose Antonio Pardo. 

The Spanish defender has been ruled out of the season due to an injury. 

Pantic has plied his trade across several top European clubs like Villarreal CF, Red Star Belgrade, and Dynamo Kyiv and the centre-back has also represented Serbia's U-19 and U-21 teams in the past. 

East Bengal FC Head Coach Carles Cuadrat said, “In Pantić we have a player with huge experience of playing for top European clubs like Villarreal, Dynamo Kyiv and Red Star Belgrade. I know him from my stint in Cypriot football, and it’s very good for us that he was playing for Doxa just until the last transfer window.” 

However, before their next away match against Hyderabad FC, East Bengal’s chief coach Cuadrat has said during a media conference on Thursday at the Salt Lake Stadium that it will not be an easy match for the red-and-gold brigade despite the fact beleaguered Hyderabad FC has no foreigners. 

When asked whether the team’s spirit has dropped due to the team's failure to win the last six consecutive matches, Ajay Chettri who was present at the media conference refused to agree and said, "Our dressing room atmosphere is very positive. We are going to Hyderabad for three points."