ISL: ATK Mohun Bagan signs Federico Gallego & Puitea

The Mariners have made two new signings for the remainder of the season.

The Mariners have now completed the signing of 32-year-old Uruguayan attacking midfielder Federico Gallego and 24-year-old Puitea. Gallego has prior experience in Indian Super League as he spent four seasons previously. The Uruguayan attacking midfielder joined ISL side Northeast United for the 2018/19 season. Federico Gallego managed to score a total of 9 goals and provided 12 assists in 47 outings for the Highlanders while Mizoram-born Puitea was a threat to the opponent's teams of Kerala Blasters for the past two years.

Frederico Gallego

Federico Gallego had stints with the various Uruguayan Clubs he played for such as Boston River, Sud America and Liverpool FC. Gallego has played for Argentine Juniors for a short span of time. With Northeast United, the midfield maestro played a vital role to get to his team's Indian Super League Playoffs on two different occasions. The first was during his debut season (2018/19 season) and the second one in the (2020/21 season).

This is clear that the arrival of Federico Gallego can essentially fulfil the creativity in the midfield in the ATK Mohun Bagan squad. His inclusion shows the silver line in the current scattered ATKMB squad with most of the injured regular footballers who have been such as Joni Kauko, Manvir Singh and Deepak Tangri. He is expected to be a perfect replacement for their long-term injured Finnish midfielder Kauko, who is ruled out for the rest of the ISL season for an ACL injury.

Lalthathanga Khawlhring (Puitea)

24-year-old Mizoram-born Lalthathanga Khawlhring, known professionally as Puiteia played for the Academy of DSK Sivajians FC. He made his I-League debut before he joined ISL side Northeast United on a loan spell from Aizawal FC in the 2017/18 season. He joins Kerala Blasters ahead of the 2020-21 season and charms Indian football fans with his exceptional form.

Puiteia made 20 appearances for the Kerala Blasters and also made three assists for the runners-up of the previous season. His brilliant combination with Jeakson Singh played a crucial role in the Blasters reaching the finals. The 24-year-old creative midfielder made a switch to the Mariners on a long-term deal. He wants to get more game time and flourish his skills as he didn't get appropriate game time this season with Blasters.

Millions of Mariners fans are eagerly waiting to see their team back in the usual gameplay style after the inclusion of Puiteia and Gallego. To solidify their squad to fulfil their team to win the league shield. Apart from these signings, Khel Now can exclusively confirm that ATK Mohunbagan has also finished the signings of six promising young footballers. Syed Zahid (GK), Pritam Mitai (RB), Amandeep Singh (LB), Sivajit Singh (AM), Tyson Singh (Winger), Suhal Bhat (Forward) is the six new signings for the youth squad. These players have previously represented India in U-20 AFC Cup. According to ATK Mohun Bagan head coach Juan Ferrando, some of the youngsters would play for the senior team.