Profile: Who is Jason Cummings, Mohun Bagan's new superstar

The striker won the A-League with the Central Coast Mariners on June 3.

Fans of Mohun Bagan Super Giant spent multiple weeks guessing their new foreign striker. The rumours finally came to an end after the confirmation that Jason Cummings is set to join the winners of the 2022-23 Indian Super League Trophy. He is an excellent addition to the Mariners as they look to bolster their squad ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.

The lucrative deal will see Jason Cummings come to India for the first time in his career. His arrival is significant as the striker is on top of his game, unlike several examples from the past where foreign players came to the ISL at the end of their careers. Mohun Bagan Super Giant fans are incredibly excited to see him wear the club’s colours.

Jason Cummings is of Australian descent and represents the Socceroos in international football. He possesses dual citizenship in the UK and Australia. India will be his first foray into South Asian club football after spells in Scotland, England and Australia.

Juan Ferrando knows that it will take a massive effort to replicate the performances of the 2022-23 season. However, Cummings is coming to India after scoring a sensational hat-trick in his final game for the Central Coast Mariners and will ease the burden on the Spanish tactician. As the ISL gears up to welcome Jason Cummings, here is what one needs to know about him:

Prior Experience

Jason Cummings was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on 1 August 1995 and began his professional career in Scottish football with Hibernian. The forward went to Tynecastle High School. As a youth player, he played for the likes of Hutchison Vale, Hearts of Midlothian, and the Hibernian youth team. 

Jason Cummings has played extensively in Scottish football. His first professional experience came with Hibernian in Scotland. The club signed him in 2013 and he left them after four years to join Nottingham Forest in England. During those four years, Cummings scored 71 goals in 149 matches. 

Then, Cummings signed for Rangers on loan in January of 2018 after a six-month spell with Nottingham Forest where he scored four goals in 17 appearances. His next destination was Peterborough on a season-long loan, a club which was playing in the EFL League One at that time. However, after struggling for goals, the striker went on to sign for Luton Town on 31 January 2019, again on loan. 

Finally, Jason Cummings signed for Shrewsbury Town on 2 September 2019. In one of his most memorable performances, the striker scored a brace in a 2-2 draw with Liverpool in FA Cup’s fourth round. In January 2021, he signed for Dundee United and became an instant hit among the fans helping the club earn promotion to the Scottish Premiership. With 14 goals in 36 matches, he became a fan favourite at the club in Scotland. Post his successful spell with Dundee United, Cummings went to Australia to sign for Central Coast Mariners in January 2022. 

With the conclusion of his last match for the Australian outfit, Cummings has registered 31 goals and 12 assists in 50 outings. He is now on his way to signing for his ninth club in professional football, Mohun Bagan Super Giant.

https://twitter.com/CCMariners/status/1664992832883691520?s=20

In terms of international football, Jason Cummings has played for Australia on three occasions, scoring one goal. Despite being born in Scotland, the striker has dual citizenship in the United Kingdom and Australia. His mother Tracey was born in the city of Perth. Before shifting his allegiance to Austalia on the international stage, Cummings represented Scotland’s U-19 and U-21 sides. He received his senior call-up in 2017 and played two friendlies for Scotland. He made the 2022 FIFA World Cup team for Australia and also appeared as a substitute in the opening game against France. 

Type of Player

Jason Cummings is a brilliant striker with an incredible eye for goal. The centre-forward will fit right in as the leading striker in MBSG’s 4-2-3-1 system. It won’t be surprising to see the Australian in the starting XI from the very first match of the season. 

The 27-year-old loves to make runs behind the defensive lines to latch on to penetrating through balls. One can expect someone like Hugo Boumous to serve plenty of through balls to the striker when they take the field together.

Also worth noting is that Jason Cummings is an expert penalty taker. He converted two penalties in his last game for the Central Coast Mariners against Melbourne City. Another quality that makes the forward an extremely dangerous figure is his movement inside the box. He loves to get on the end of crosses and finish first-time, catching defenders and goalkeepers by surprise. MBSG fans will also appreciate Cummings’ work-rate off the ball and his pressing that puts opposition defenders under pressure.