Udanta Singh to join FC Goa on multi-year deal from Bengaluru FC

The 26-year-old leaves the Blues after nine seasons with them.

FC Goa are set to bolster their ranks with the signing of Bengaluru FC winger Udanta Singh next season. The winger will join the Gaurs on a multi-year deal next summer after spending nine seasons with BFC.

"Udanta Singh Kumam will join FC Goa from Bengaluru FC on a multi-year deal in the summer window", a source close to the developments informed Khel Now. Udanta has been used as an impact substitute by Simon Grayson this season, making 12 appearances and providing two assists.

Goa were chasing the 26-year-old winger for a while and have finally got their man. Udanta’s current contract with Bengaluru FC runs till 2023, after the player signed a three-year extension in the 2020-21 season.

About the player

The 26-year-old from Manipur started his career with the Tata Football Academy, making an instant impact in the U-19 I-League by winning the golden boot. He joined Bengaluru FC in 2014, who were then the reigning I-League champions.

Instantly gaining recognition for his blistering turn of pace, Udanta improved at BFC season after season and as the club transitioned from the I-League to the ISL, he lifted his attacking output up a notch. In the Blues’ first ISL season, Udanta scored one goal and provided seven assists in their runners-up finish.

The following season, BFC lifted the ISL trophy and Udanta starred in the absence of Miku through injury, scoring five goals and supplying three assists. He has not been able to rediscover that form since, managing just six goals and three assists from 72 appearances across the ISL and AFC Cup.

Udanta has played 39 matches for the national team, scoring his only goal in a 5-0 victory against Chinese Taipei in the 2018 Intercontinental Cup.

FC Goa in ISL 2022-23

FC Goa are involved in the playoffs race and currently sit in fifth place with 26 points from 16 matches. They have been inconsistent but have recently snapped a winless run with back-to-back victories against Kerala Blasters and East Bengal. They have the league’s top-scorer Iker Guarrotxena in their ranks, the only player to reach a double figure of goals.

With four games to go, Goa face sides in and around the playoff spots, and any dropped points could be costly. They have a goal difference of +6 and have scored the joint second-most goals this season.