ISL: Chennaiyin FC set to sign striker Irfan Yadwad

The player makes the switch East from FC Bengaluru United after a stellar season in front of goal.

Breakthrough Indian forward Irfan Yadwad has secured a move to Chennaiyin FC from FC Bengaluru United, Khel Now can confirm. The goal machine has been in red-hot form in the BDFA Super Division and I-League qualifiers, pumping in an eye-watering 34 goals across competitions in a stellar year.

"Chennaiyin FC have won the race to sign FC Bengaluru United's striker Irfan Yadwad. There were two other clubs in the race for the player," a source close to the development informed Khel Now.

About the player

A question often on the minds of Indian football followers is who does the nation turn to after Sunil Chhetri? While there have been some players that have shown glimpses of their potential, none have had a prolific season like that of Irfan Yadwad.

Every time he scored a goal in the BDFA Super Division for FCBU, there was a steadily rising clamour about the 22-year-old's breathtaking finishing abilities and all-round play as a striker.

A lanky Goa-born player gifted with raw pace and a sprinkling of trickery, Irfan Yadwad has shown that he can score a variety of goals. Left footed, right footed, tap-ins, long distance screamers, headers, the lot. This blend has prompted Chennaiyin FC, a club that has dedicated a lot of efforts to intensive scouting and player development, to invest in the player.

Irfan spoke to Khel Now in an exclusive interview back in April, where he talked about his early career, battling a career-threatening meniscus injury, and his ambitions. He had shared on the latter, "My aim is to play for the national team and represent them. I want to take things step by step. I-League, ISL, and then the national team.”

Chennaiyin FC's preparations for the 2023-24 season

The Marina Machans seem to have trusted Irfan to make the big step, and the player will no doubt want to back the belief the club have shown. Chennaiyin let go of all their foreign players, and have lost key starting midfielders in the form of captain Anirudh Thapa and Edwin Vanspaul to Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal respectively.

The club mutually parted ways with Thomas Brdaric, and have been given a huge boost in the form of the returning Owen Coyle, who took the team to great heights during his stint. Today, the club announced Sweden Fernandes as their first signing of the window, and Irfan's addition will bolster their ranks with more attacking firepower.