ATK Mohun Bagan signs Glan Martins on loan; Lenny Rodrigues moves to Goa
ATK Mohun Bagan signs Glan Martin on a long-term loan deal as Lenny Rodrigues heads the other way and signs a short-term contract with Goa until the end of the 2022-23 Indian Super League season.
The Mariners have struggled in the middle of the park recently with Joni Kauko ruled out for the entire season and Glan’s presence in the central midfield position would allow the likes of Hugo Boumous, Liston Colaco, and the rest of the attackers to express themselves more freely.
Martins stamped his authority and became a first-team regular under Juan Ferrando and has found his minutes on the pitch limited since Carlos Pena took over as the head coach with the Spaniard preferring to play the young Ayush Chhetri to accompany Edu Bedia in the midfield pivot.
The 28-year old midfielder would be looking ahead to a reunion with Ferrando as Deepak Tangri is out with a long-term injury restricting the Mariners to a limited roster of Carl McHugh and new-signing Puitea in the middle of the pitch.
On the other hand, the experienced Lenny Rodrigues would be a welcome addition to the Gaurs’ squad as he is well accustomed to the club and has also played with Pena in the 2018-19 ISL season.
He said,
“I am delighted to return to Goa, having played here for two and a half seasons previously. I had always felt that I had some unfinished business with the team, and hence I’m honoured to have received an opportunity once again. The prospect of performing in front of my home fans again and making them proud excites me as well.”
The new Gaurs recruit is aware of the legacy of the club and wants to add the ISL trophy to the club’s cabinet as Pena’s side is mounting a title challenge during the ongoing ISL season.
He continued,
“With the team currently in the top five in the league, my primary objective would be to contribute successfully to our quest of making it to the playoffs. The ultimate intention is to win the ISL Trophy with FC Goa, and we’re going to work together as a team to get there.”
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FCG Director of Football Ravi Puskur Jindal praised the veteran midfielder and discussed the value of having an experienced midfielder in the matchday squad with the knockout stages of the ISL starting in about a month’s time.
He said,
“Lenny is an experienced player who was a constant in our team for the best part of 2.5 years. His arrival gives us a player who has plenty of know-how in high-pressure situations and excellent tactical nous. He’s familiar with the team and everyone else around him, so he will take zero time to settle in and will be ready to play and available to the coach for selection from the get-go.”