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Indian Super League
Indian Super League (ISL) club East Bengal FC on Friday secured the signing of Indian national team midfielder Jeakson Singh Thounaojam on a four-year deal from Kerala Blasters FC.
Hailing from Manipur, Singh has been a mainstay in the Indian national team’s midfield over the past three years. The 23-year-old defensive midfielder has played 22 matches for the national team so far and was a vital part of the Blue Tigers’ triumphant SAFF Championship (2021, 2023), Tri-Nation Series (2023), and Intercontinental Cup (2023) squads.
India’s first and only scorer at a FIFA World Cup (against Colombia at the 2017 U-17 FIFA World Cup), Singh honed his skills at the Chandigarh Football Academy and the Minerva Academy during his formative years, before joining Kerala Blasters FC in the 2018-19 season. In a bid to get more playing time at the top-flight level, Singh served two loan spells with the Indian Arrows between 2017 and 2018.
Having represented Kerala Blasters FC in 78 ISL matches, Singh has logged two goals, two assists, an 82% passing accuracy, 274 successful duels, 84 successful aerial duels, 405 recoveries, 102 interceptions, and 62 clearances.
Welcoming Singh to the East Bengal FC family, Mr Vibhash Vardhan Agarwal said, “Jeakson (Singh) is one of the finest midfielders in the country and an integral part of the Indian national team. He is very competitive and eager to play in front of our passionate fans and give his all for the East Bengal FC badge. Credit goes to our technical team for making this deal happen.”
East Bengal FC head coach Carles Cuadrat commented, “Jeakson (Singh) is a national team player who will be an important component of our midfield. We had a very fruitful conversation where we both discussed what the movement could mean for his career and our club. He is ready to accept a challenge that can make him one of the leaders of the team in the future.”
Excited to make his mark for East Bengal FC, Singh said, “I am honored and thrilled to join this historic club. The unwavering support and energy of the East Bengal fans are truly inspiring, and I look forward to contributing to its rich legacy and giving my best on and off the field for them. Together, we’ll achieve great things and create unforgettable memories in the days to come!”
Mohun Bagan SG announce Greg Stewart’s arrival; Armando Sadiku part ways
Mohun Bagan SG have bolstered their forward line with the acquisition of Scottish forward Greg Stewart on a season long deal. This will be the third club he will represent in the ISL.
The 34-year-old footballer has made 50 appearances in the league, in which he has netted 21 goals and attempted 21 assists. Known for his sheer qualities in breaking the opponent’s stubborn defense line to create chances for his teammates and his versatility to operate in various positions in the forward line, Stewart adds significant strength to the Mariners’ forward line.
Making his ISL debut with Jamshedpur FC, Stewart won the prestigious ‘Player of the League’ accolade and the League Shield award in the ISL 2021-22 season. The Scottish forward became the first footballer to register a hat-trick for the Men of Steel, which came against Odisha FC.
After experiencing a successful stint with Jamshedpur FC, Stewart joined Mumbai City FC and continued to showcase his offensive prowess with the Islanders. The forward has also won the League Shield award in the 2022–23 season, for the second time in his career.
On joining the Mariners, an excited Stewart said,
“I’ve had a long dream to play in Kolkata, the mecca of Indian football. I know all the stadiums and their circumstances across India. I have succeeded on a personal level and have become a champion before. But it’s thrilling to join such a traditional and one of the best clubs in the country, Mohun Bagan SG. I am thankful for the management’s decision to give me this chance. I have witnessed the Mariners’ love and affection for the club while playing against Mohun Bagan SG in Kolkata. In my opinion, the diehard Mohun Bagan SG fans are the best supporters in India. I have given my best to win titles with my prior two ISL teams. I scored goals and provided assists too. Now, it’s my aim to make Mohun Bagan SG champion again and bring smiles to our supporters’ faces. I am returning to India, keeping in mind to defend the title.”
“To play in the Kolkata derby in Kolkata is another reason behind signing for Mohun Bagan SG. Kolkata derby is one of Asia’s best derbies. To play and win in the Derby has been my dream for a long time. In India, I helped my team to win many difficult matches but never won the derby. I’ll enter the practice sessions keeping this in mind,” he continued.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant earlier on the day announced that the club has mutually parted ways with Albanian forward Armando Sadiku.
The 33-year-old forward scored 11 goals in 35 appearances for Mohun Bagan SG. Sadiku won the Durand Cup and the ISL League Shield during his time with the Mariners.
The Albanian international was Mohun Bagan SG’s third-highest goalscorer in the ISL, with eight goals to his name. Sadiku was featured in 22 ISL games last season, in which he had 64 touches in the opposition box, created seven chances, and attempted 20 shots on target with an 18.6% goal conversion rate.
Mumbai City FC sign Hitesh Sharma on loan from Odisha FC
Mumbai City FC announced the arrival of 26-year-old midfielder Hitesh Sharma on loan from Odisha FC, which will see him join the club until the end of the 2024–25 season.
Born in Jalandhar, Sharma honed his skills at the Chandigarh Football Academy and the Tata Football Academy (TFA). After graduating from TFA, he began his senior career with Mumbai FC in the I-League, displaying his technical prowess and understanding of the game. His ISL journey started with ATK, followed by stints with Hyderabad FC and Odisha FC, where he proved his caliber and versatility.
Sharma has made 81 appearances in the ISL, won the ISL Cup with Hyderabad FC in the 2021–22 season, and made his India International debut in 2018.
Sharma’s quality and ability to excel in various midfield roles underscore his adaptability, which will strengthen Mumbai City FC’s squad dynamics for the upcoming season.
Hitesh Sharma said:
“I am thrilled to join Mumbai City FC, a club renowned for its vision and strong commitment to success. Representing the club in various competitions and contributing to its objectives will be an honor. I look forward to meeting my new teammates and fans and enjoying my time in the amazing city of Mumbai.”
Petr Kratky – Head Coach, Mumbai City FC, said:
“We are pleased to welcome Hitesh Sharma to our club. His experience with various ISL clubs, combined with his versatility, will provide valuable depth to our midfield options. We are confident that he will fit seamlessly into our squad, and we look forward to working together.”
Jamshedpur FC extend Pronay Halder’s contract
Jamshedpur FC announced that Pronay Halder has extended his tenure with the club until the end of the 2024–25 football season, with an additional performance-based option to extend.
Halder has been one of the most consistent figures at Jamshedpur since the club’s League Shield-winning season of 2021–22. His ability to balance the midfield with his vision, passing range, and tackling skills has been a key factor in Jamshedpur FC’s success. His physicality and versatility make him an invaluable asset to the squad, as he excels in both defensive and attacking roles.
The former TFA graduate expressed his delight at extending his stay with the Khalid Jamil-led side, stating, “I am thrilled to continue my journey with Jamshedpur FC. I’m grateful to coach Khalid Jamil and the club for their trust. I have unfinished business from last season, and I am determined to make a bigger impact this season to take the club to the top of the ISL table and make all the loyal fans of Jharkhand proud.”
Moreover, Halder’s leadership capabilities have been instrumental in guiding the team from the center, making his role pivotal to the squad’s strategy. The 31-year-old’s impressive credentials include a vital role in Jamshedpur FC’s triumphant 2021-22 Shield-winning campaign, in which he made match-winning contributions with 22 interceptions and 10 successful tackles.
Head coach Khalid Jamil commented on Pronay’s retention, stating, “Pronay Halder is an experienced player and an invaluable asset to our team. As one of the best defensive midfielders in the league, he’s crucial to our success. We felt his absence dearly last season, and everyone in the squad is eagerly awaiting his strong return. His presence is needed now more than ever, and we’re confident he’ll make a significant impact.”
Halder has made 166 club appearances in his career, spanning over a decade. The midfielder has also been capped for the Indian National Team, making 25 appearances for the Blue Tigers, where he was part of the squad that qualified for the AFC Asian Cup 2019 and also participated in it later. Halder made his senior debut with the erstwhile AIFF developmental side Pailan Arrows after coming through the Tata Football Academy. Later, he joined Dempo and also represented FC Goa in the ISL in the same season. He won his first silverware after joining Mohun Bagan SG in 2015-16 as the Mariners lifted the Federation Cup.
He moved to Mumbai City FC later, but returned to FC Goa after a season with the Islanders. Halder played an influential role in FC Goa’s run to the semi-finals in the ISL 2017-18 season. He then signed a two-year deal with ATK, where he became the ISL champion in the 2020–21 season. After that, he joined Jamshedpur FC on loan, where he played a pivotal role in the team’s ISL shield-winning campaign. He later joined Jamshedpur FC before returning to Mohun Bagan SG for a short stint.
Ravi Kumar and Manglenthang Kipgen pen extension with Punjab FC
Punjab FC have also extended the contracts of goalkeeper Ravi Kumar and midfielder Manglenthang Kipgen.
Kumar has signed a two-year extension, which will see him with the Shers until May 2026, while Kipgen will be with the club till 2028.
31-year-old goalkeeper Kumar featured in 16 matches last season, in which he kept three clean sheets. He notched 47 saves, completed 151 recoveries, and made 153 successful distributions, averaging two saves per game with a 61% passing accuracy. Kumar also saved a penalty last season.
On the other hand, Kipgen played in four matches last season. The 19-year-old midfielder averaged 19 passes per game, created four chances, and also assisted on one occasion.