of the national team and several Indian Super League clubs are closing deals of a few superstar players in the summer transfer window.
While the clubs are engaged in transfer activity, several players are still seeking a solution for their future as the AIFF Players’ Status Committee will sit down on 2nd August to convey their decisions on five issues involving the much-discussed Anwar Ali saga who is seeking a permanent transfer after agreeing a four-year loan deal with the Mariners last season.
Let’s check out the top five signings made by the ISL clubs involving domestic players so far in the transfer window:
#5 Aakash Sangwan puts pen to paper at Goa
After renewing Jay Gupta’s contract for another three years, the Gaurs moved fast to provide him with healthy competition by signing Aakash Sangwan from Chennaiyin as the left-back battle will heat up in the 2024-25 ISL season.
The 28-year old full-back has proved to be a late bloomer and shot into the limelight with his two-year spell with Chennaiyin where he provided 10 assists and scored 2 goals across 48 appearances.
Sangwan is delighted about joining Marquez’s side and the experienced full-back is looking forward to representing Goa’s large fanbase at their home stadium located in Margao.
Sangwan said, “I am excited to start this new chapter with FC Goa. The club’s ambitions and style of play resonate with me, and I am eager to contribute to the team’s success. I’ve always admired the footballing culture and the history of the sport in this state, and can’t wait to play in front of Goa’s passionate fan base at the Fatorda Stadium. I look forward to giving my best and achieving great things together with the team.”
#4 Chennaiyin ropes in Kiyan Nassiri
Kiyan Nassiri would be hoping to get more chances to prove his credentials at Chennaiyin
Son of an esteemed East Bengal legend, Kiyan Nassiri’s debut came at Mohun Bagan and the starlet later signed a contract extension with the newly merged entity called Mohun Bagan Super Giant winning the ISL Cup and the ISL League Winners’ Shield in his brief time with the Mariners.
Kiyan scored 10 goals and provided 2 assists in 72 appearances for MBSG with most of those chances coming from the bench for the young forward. Chennaiyin head coach Owen Coyle is delighted about the acquisition of the former Mohun Bagan Super Giant forward and quickly reminded the fans about his hat-trick against East Bengal on his ISL debut.
Coyle said,
“We are excited to welcome Kiyan Nassiri to this great club. When you score a hat trick on your debut against your biggest rivals, it says everything there is to be said. He’s a great boy and we have no doubt he will quickly become a fan favourite.”
The 23-year old is delighted about his move to the club based in Tamil Nadu’s capital city and the Kolkata-born forward would be looking ahead to play with the likes of Daniel Chima Chukwu, Wilmar Jordan Gill, and Connor Shields who would certainly boost Nassiri’s assist count.
“I am extremely excited and grateful to be a part of this amazing sea of blue. Bringing all my humility and respect for the management, coaches, and fans. Looking forward to bringing with me, my endless passion for the beautiful game and my spirit to win with and for my team.”
#3 Rahul Bheke joins Bengaluru for a second stint
Gerard Zaragoza’s Bengaluru is set to enter a new era after finishing 10th, well outside the playoff places in the 2023-24 ISL season. The Blues have roped in Jorge Pereyra Diaz, Alberto Noguera, Edgar Mendez, and Pedro Capo to complete their overseas quota.
While the Blues already had the likes of Nikhil Poojary, Chinglensana Singh, Naorem Roshan Singh, Jessel Carneiro, Parag Shrivas, and Namgyal Bhutia in defense, the Karnataka-based club roped in Rahul Bheke who will be joining Bengaluru for a second stint.
In his first spell with the club, Bheke reached the semi-final of the AFC Cup in his first season and then scored the winner in the 2018-19 ISL final against Goa to lift the trophy for the first time in his career.
After moving to Mumbai City, the 33-year old defender was part of two different AFC Champions League campaigns with the Islanders and won the ISL League Winners’ Shield as well as the ISL Cup before rejoining the Blues on a two-year deal and strengthening their defense ahead of the new season.
#2 East Bengal signs Jeakson Singh from Kerala Blasters
East Bengal has paid a record sum for Jeakson Singh’s acquisition from Kerala Blasters
Carles Cuadrat has rebuilt the East Bengal squad to a large extent as the club gets ready for the AFC Champions League Two campaign which kicks off on 14th August. The centre-piece to the new jigsaw puzzle is the club’s record signing Jeakson Singh who will allow the likes of Saul Crespo and Madih Talal to link up with Dimitrios Diamantakos with freedom.
The former Kerala Blasters midfielder has put pen to paper for a four-year deal that will last till the end of the 2027-28 season. Head coach Cuadrat has already heaped huge praise on the club’s star acquisition of the window and called him a leader for the future.
Cuadrat said,
“Jeakson 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.”
Singh is India’s only goal-scorer in a FIFA World Cup as he opened the Young Tigers’ account at the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup and has since then impressed one and all with his skills as a defensive midfielder.
The midfielder is delighted ahead of a new chapter in his career and 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!”
#1 Mohun Bagan Super Giant signs Apuia from Mumbai City
Mohun Bagan Super Giant splashes money on a new Indian signing every season and this time around, the Mariners have decided to rope in one of India’s best central midfielders in Lalengmawia Ralte.
Known more commonly as Apuia, the central midfielder was a lynchpin in the Mumbai City midfield for multiple years and took his game up a notch under Des Buckingham who left the Islanders in the midst of the 2023-24 ISL season.
Many players have left the Islanders’ camp after the departure of Buckingham and Apuia was more than happy to join the Mecca of Indian Football in Kolkata. In his three seasons in Mumbai, Apuia scored 6 goals and provided 2 assists while shielding the defense as well. The 23-year old won the ISL League Winners’ Shield and the ISL Cup in three seasons apart from participating in the AFC Champions League campaign last season.
The new Mohun Bagan Super Giant head coach Jose Molina sanctioned the move for the midfielder as the Mariners have assembled a midfield full of Indian superstars in Apuia, Deepak Tangri, Anirudh Thapa, and Sahal Abdul Samad.
Molina said,
“Apuia is a great reinforcement for our midfield. He has been an important player in the league in recent seasons, becoming an important player as a defensive midfielder in the Indian national team as well. It will help us generate internal competition that will improve team performance.”
Apuia is also waiting for his first chance to play for his new club in front of home supporters as he joins the likes of Jamie Maclaren, Tom Aldred, Alberto Rodriguez, and his former teammate Greg Stewart who will be making their MBSG debuts in the upcoming season.Apuia said,
“I am incredibly honoured and excited to join Mohun Bagan Super Giant, a club that holds a special place in Indian football history. I am eager to work hard, learn from my coaches and teammates, and contribute my best to help Mohun Bagan SG achieve its goals. I am grateful for this opportunity and can’t wait to step onto the field and give my all for the club and its passionate supporters.”