Calcutta: Wary of the fact that rival clubs may break the bank to sign footballer Do Dong Hyun next season, East Bengal have decided to go for a long-term contract with the South Korean.

Sources said Dong's new contract is till 2018-19, even though the club officially didn't make any announcement. The Korean left for home in the wee hours of Sunday and will return on October 1.

Dong had a one-year contract, but after his stupendous performance in the Calcutta Football League, the club officials did not think twice before going for a long-term deal. Dong scored 12 goals as East Bengal won the CFL title for a record-equalling sixth time, unbeaten.

"His performance showed his class... His skills... His hunger for success. He is young... So age is on his side. East Bengal can dream of many good things if this player stays... That's the reason why we wanted a long-term agreement", senior club official Debabrata Sarkar said on Saturday morning.

Dong, in fact, is bowled over by the adulation he is getting from the East Bengal supporters and that's one of the main reasons why he also wanted to sign a new contract. "The East Bengal supporters are amazing. When I first came here, I never knew I would get this much respect and love from the supporters," he said while using the Google translator at the media conference. "Hope I was allowed to speak in Korean," he said laughing.

On a serious note, Dong said the secret behind his success with East Bengal is adaptability. "When you come to a new club, adapting to the conditions is very important. Gelling with teammates, getting to know the mood of supporters... These are the things I did when I first came. And when I scored my first goal for East Bengal (against BNR, an audacious chip over the goalkeeper), the way the supporters reacted, I fell for them right away," he said.

Dong was not worried about his groin injury. "When I go Korea, I will work out at the gym to keep myself fit. A little rest will be enough to sort out my injury. When I come back, I will be at my best again," he said.

Dong said the CFL triumph is just the beginning of many memorable wins he is dreaming of with the club. "This is just the beginning... We are working hard as a unit and I am sure we will get success."

The Korean did not have much success in the A-League and he said that was because the Australian brand of football is of a different kind. "They are physical. Not that skilful. Some of the Indian footballers here are more skilful than the players who play in A-League," he said.

Surprisingly, Dong will not be seen in ISL II since none of the franchises picked him up. "It's okay that I will not be playing ISL this time. But if I play well for East Bengal this season, the franchises will sit up and take notice."

Talking about reactions back home after his exploits in the CFL, Dong revealed that his friends and family were excited to see 80,000 people at the stadium when East Bengal played Mohun Bagan. "In Korea, you do not get to see so many supporters turning up to watch a Derby," said.

Is he taking back a present from Calcutta for his family? "My success here is the best present," Dong, who will also be catching up with his Japanese girlfriend during the break, said with a smile.