The hunt to track down former India international Freddy Mascarenhas begun for Bermuda's football clubs following reports the star striker has migrated to the Island.

Mascarenhas' arrival in Bermuda would certainly add some spice to the upcoming season and has already attracted interest from Hamilton Parish with the Hot Peppers believed to be leading the chase for the mystery hitman.

Accordingto IndianFootball .Com, the powerful 28-year-old, renowned for his heading ability, quit domestic football in India recently after helping his team, Goa, win the state championship.

"Football lovers from Goa and the rest of the country have effectively seen the last of the promising but inconsistent striker (Mascarenhas) on the big stage," read the report.

"The tournament in Chennai which Goa won, defeating West Bengal, has now turned out to be his last national championship, as the former India striker has quit football and has since migrated to the Island of Bermuda."

The six-foot plus striker made his international debut in 2006, as one of the players drafted into the India team by English coach Bob Houghton.

Regardless of whether Mascarenhas can be persuaded to come out of retirement, local football will still have a sprinkling of international flavour this campaign, with ex-Trinidad player Marlon Rojas set for his Premier Division bow with Somerset Eagles and First Division new-boys Robin Hood signing former Brazilian professional Marcio Dias.

Dias, known as "Ramauldo", has been described by Hood's chief scout Bobby Emmett as "a languid six-foot plus midfielder" and played in a pre-season game against Boulevard last week.

Hood have also swooped for Farid El Karfa, who was granted a special release by First Division outfit X-Roads.

Karfa, a Moroccan married to a Bermudian, has also turned out for Boulevard during his time on the Island.

Club president Paul Scope however has dismissed suggestions from several First Division rivals that Hood are 'buying in overseas talent'.

Once considered an ex-pat club, Scope said at times last season Hood had an entirely Bermudian line-up.

"It's been a long time since Robin Hood have been an ex-pat club with the likes of Gary Ray, David Wolffe and Brian Fubler being stalwarts for a decade or more," said Scope.

"Indeed, last season, we sometimes had a completely Bermudian team and we want to continue to have a solid Bermudian core with the likes of Teddy Terceira, Matty Watson, Joel Duffy, David Outerbridge and Steven and Jay Simons leading the way."