Kolkata, Feb 10: Willis Plaza has been the new heart-throb of East Bengal fans. Before his maiden derby against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan in the I-league on Saturday (February 11) in Siliguri, the Trinidad and Tobago striker got one priceless award.

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It is a pair of white boots with silver lining stripes. The 29-year-old Plaza, when asked about the boots, said, "The pair has come from Wayne Rooney Foundation in London. I am truly thrilled to have the pair of boots before the derby. I will score goals wearing this pair of boots in the derby and then send thanks to the legendary English footballer approving the boots for me."

Plaza who also looks excited about playing in his maiden derby match, said, "Rooney Foundation always gets approval from the Manchester United captain whenever it sends any present or monitory help to anybody. I sent the application a couple of months ago, requesting them to send these specially made boots. Rooney also plays wearing these kind of boots.

"The approximate price of these boots is nearly Rs 22,000 each in Indian currency. The spikes of these boots are so comfortable and flexible that it will decline gradually if you play continuously with these boots. After the derby match I will keep the special boot."

Plaza was asked whether he had ever been able to talk to Rooney himself. East Bengal striker replied, "I could remember that we had talks for a few moments only once. He came to our country with Manchester United to play exhibition matches. Before one exhibition tie, I could speak to Rooney for just few moments."

Plaza however wants to keep his maiden derby special by scoring against Mohun Bagan on Saturday. He has already struck five goals in seven matches in the ongoing I-league.

But along with his desire to score goal against Mohun Bagan, Plaza stressed on another point saying, "We need to win. We need three points. So, even if I do not score it will be problem."

OneIndia News