In an attempt to give a fitting reponse to arch-rivals East Bengal, Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan have decided to rope in a Brazilian fitness trainer to fine-tune their preparations for the just-started season, despite the funds crunch the club is facing.

Robson Matos de Olivera, who has been associated with seven professional clubs of the soccer-rich Latin American nation during the last nine years, is scheduled to arrive in Kolkata on Monday to take up the Bagan assignment.

"He has an impressive bio-data and we hope to benefit from his rich experience," Bagan assistant general secretary Balaram Chowdhury said.

During the last two seasons, Robson was attached to two different Brazilian clubs as coach-cum-physio.

Bagan coach Aloke Mukherjee welcomed the move, saying it will definitely help improve the game of his boys

Bagan's decision to hire Robson comes nearly two months after East Bengal created a sensation by engaging South African fitness trainer Kevin Jackson.

This is the first time that the country's soccer clubs have looked abroad to recruit full-time physical trainers.