Rowllin Borges joins FC Goa on loan from Mumbai City

It is a homecoming for Borges, who returns to the state after 2016.

Indian international midfielder and Nuvem native Rowllin Borges has arrived in Goa as he put pen to paper on a season-long loan deal to don the iconic Orange of FC Goa this coming season. The 31-year-old, who is currently with the Indian national team competing in the Hero Intercontinental Cup is set to add more firepower to the Goa midfield.

The 31-year-old comes back home after having won the Indian Super League (ISL) once, the ISL League Winners’ Shield twice in the last three years and with 33 Indian national caps to his name at the time of writing.

“I always felt that I would play for FC Goa one day - like it was my destiny. Something or the other, though, wasn’t aligned for me to play for my home club, but finally, it has come true. I am very happy,” said Borges, after he had signed on the dotted lines. 

“I believe this is the start of a new chapter in my career. And I’m looking forward to contributing to the team's success.”

Speaking on the acquisition, Ravi Puskur, Director of Football for FC Goa, commented, "Rowllin is an established name in India football and has proved his credentials in the ISL over the years time and again. He’s a player who will add another dimension to our midfield and his all-action style will definitely be something we will look to utilise to the fullest.

“We have tried in the past to sign Rowllin but that never came to fruition but we’re glad to have been able to cross the bridge this time and I’m sure he’ll make a very positive impact on the team and the dressing room,” he added.

Rowllin Borges' career

Hailing from Nuvem in South Goa, Rowllin Borges began his professional career with Sporting Clube de Goa. He featured for them in the I-League in four straight seasons between 2012 and 2016 before getting his first taste of ISL in the league’s third season when he signed for NorthEast United.

A short-term loan move to East Bengal followed for the footballer, who then returned to the Highlanders the following season. The next two years saw Rowllin emerge as one of the best midfielders in the league helping NorthEast United to their first playoff appearance in the 2018-19 season.

Ahead of the 2019-20 season, the 30-year-old shifted base to Mumbai City, with whom he lifted the Hero ISL League Winners Shield twice in the 2020-21 and 2022-23 seasons. He also lifted the ISL trophy in 2021 with the Islanders and played in the AFC Champions League for them the following year.

On the international front, Rowllin has been part of trophy-winning Indian squads in the 2018 Hero Intercontinental Cup, the 2017 Trination Series and the 2015 SAFF Championship. He was also part of the Indian team that battled in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.

The winner of AIFF Emerging Player of the Year in 2016, Borges will now look to get his hands on more silverware in the colours of FC Goa.