Mumbai City break transfer record to sign Minerva Punjab starlet Anwar Ali

The amount paid to the reigning I-League champions is a record sum for an India youth international.

Indian Super League (ISL) outfit Mumbai City have set a new transfer record, with Minerva Punjab defender Anwar Ali joining the club from the 2019-20 season. The centre-back was on loan at Indian Arrows and will be joining up with the Islanders in two seasons' time.

The historic deal inked between Minerva and Mumbai City will see Ali become the highest paid U-18 player in the country, which includes a ₹30 lakhs transfer fee paid to the northern club.

However, Mumbai City will need to wait for a season to avail the services of the teenage defender who will be returning back to the Arrows for next season.

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The 18-year-old was one of India's star performers at the FIFA U-17 World Cup last year. He was also part of the Arrows side that finished at the bottom of the table in last season's I-League. Ali was one of the standout performers from the Arrows' squad and was under the radar of several Indian clubs for a possible transfer.

In the last season of the ISL, Mumbai looked like a side in need of young blood, especially in the defence and Ali's inclusion in the squad is set to be good news for the Islanders.