NorthEast United part ways with 13 players

A player who showed hope in the previous season is also in the list.

The summer transfer window has begun in full swing with Indian clubs busy in making transfers and releasing players who don’t fit their future plans. Indian Super League outfit NorthEast United FC have confirmed the departure of 13 first team players from the 2022-23 season.

The list includes goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya alongside defenders Provat Lakra, Gurjinder Singh, Mashoor Shereef, Kholmurodov Alisher, Aaron Evans, and Alex Saji. The midfield departures include Sehnaj Singh, Danmawia, Imran Khan and Joseba Beitia alongwith forwards Kule Mbombo and club captain Wilmar Jordan Gil.

Alex Saji moves back to Hyderabad FC after the completion of his loan stint with the Highlanders while Provat Lakra leaves the club after five seasons. The club did not renew the contracts of Arindam Bhattacharya, Aaron Evans, Sehnaj Singh, Danmawia, Joseba Beitia, Kule and their latest recruit Holmurodov Alisher. 

The trio of Mashoor Shereef, Gurjinder Singh and Imran Khan leave the Highlanders after defending their crest for three seasons in a row. But the biggest surprise is the departure of club captain Wilmar Jordan Gil.

The Colombian became NorthEast United’s record top-scorer after scoring a bunch of goals in the league as well as in the Hero Super Cup. Jordan inspired a downtrodden NorthEast United to the semi-finals of the Hero Super Cup single-handedly with his heroics up front.

The striker netted 15 goals in as many appearances across all competitions. Moreover, he also became only the fourth NorthEast United FC player to score a hat-trick and also holds the record for scoring the most number of goals in a single match (4).

What’s next?

From their actions it seems NorthEast United FC are up to something big. It looks like a complete overhaul of the squad while keeping both present and future in mind. The club has already appointed former Bengaluru FC man Mandar Tamhane as their new CEO.

And Mandar began his operations at the club with the recruitment of Spanish tactician Juan Pedro Benali as the club’s new head coach. Now it remains to be seen where NorthEast United go from here.