Bhutia signs for East Bengal

India captain Baichung Bhutia on Monday 'signed' a year's contract with East Bengal and vowed to play for the club till he hangs his boots.

Engaged in a row with Bagan, which suspended him for six months without pay, Bhutia termed his new deal as an "ultimate signing", and said even if he cannot play for the club in the upcoming season because of the suspension, he will play for the East Bengal for rest of his career.

Though signed for the 2009-10 season, Bhutia, who is yet to be released by Mohun Bagan, said: "This is not for one month or two months. This will be for my entire football career. Whether I play or not play this year, for the rest of my football career I will be an East Bengal player."

Describing the rapturous reception he got at the club as the best ever after East Bengal's ASEAN Cup victory in 2003, Bhutia said, "This is the second time this kind of reception I'm getting for East Bengal. I am very happy... I have full confidence that I will be playing for East Bengal from day one."

Cheered by East Bengal supporters who kept shouting 'Three cheers for Baichung, welcome back Baichung', Bhutia, who began his football career with East Bengal, said, "I started playing from here... and I will end my career from here."