Mumbai City FC sign Phurba Lachenpa

Mumbai City FC has signed their 11th player in the off-season and the new manager Sergio Lobera decided to strengthen the goalkeeping department with the signing of Phurba Lachenpa.

The young custodian signed from Real Kashmir has been signed on a four-year contract keeping him at the club till 2024. Lachenpa will be an understudy to the club No.1 Amrinder Singh and would be hoping to usurp him from that position in the near future.

Delighted after joining the club, Lachenpa said:

“It’s a proud moment for me, taking the next step of my career and committing my future to a club of Mumbai City’s stature. I’ve enjoyed my football and my journey so far but I’m only getting started.”

Talking about how the move is both a challenge and an opportunity, the goalkeeper continued “I know I have to work harder and I am really looking forward to working with and learning from my teammates. It’s a huge challenge and an even bigger opportunity for me and I am ready to give it my all.”

The shot-stopper started out at Shillong Lajong and was the club’s second-choice goalkeeper during the 2016-17 I-League season. Following Vishal Kaith’s departure to FC Pune City, Lachenpa took over the No.1 position at the club.

In the 2017-18 season, the young Lachenpa impressed everyone in Indian football by keeping 5 clean sheets in 13 I-League matches. The defense was weakened a bit ahead of the 2018-19 season and the goalkeeper along with the defense had a horrid time as Lachenpa conceded 24 goals in 9 matches keeping a solitary clean sheet in the whole league season.

Following the relegation of Shillong Lajong to I-League II, Real Kashmir FC snapped up Lachenpa and the 22-year old impressed for the Snow Leopards as he kept 5 clean sheets and conceded only 14 goals in 15 matches during the league season.