ISL: Ajay Chhetri signs for East Bengal FC

The midfielder has signed on a season-long loan deal

Emami East Bengal FC and Bengaluru FC have agreed upon a season-long loan deal for midfielderAjay Chhetri, subject to medicals. The 24-year-old is all set to begin his second spell with the Red &Golds after representing the century-old club during the 2020-21 Hero ISL season.

Commenting on the signing, Mr Sandeep Agrawal of Emami Goup said, “Ajay is a promisingmidfielder with prior experience of representing East Bengal in the Hero ISL. His addition will surelybolster our midfield.”

Emami East Bengal FC Head Coach Carles Cuadrat, who handed Ajay his Hero ISL debut during the2018-19 season, said, “Ajay played under me at Bengaluru FC and has since gained valuableexperiences on loan with Hyderabad FC, East Bengal and last season’s Hero I-League championsPunjab FC. He already knows what it means to play for a legacy club like East Bengal. I am glad togive a new opportunity to a player who made his Hero ISL debut under my tutelage.”

Excited to reunite with the Red & Gold brigade, a delighted Ajay said, “I am very happy to be backat East Bengal. I am thankful to Emami Group, the club and Coach Carles for trusting my abilities. Ican’t wait to reunite with Coach Carles under whom I made my Hero ISL debut.”

He added, “I made my East Bengal debut during the COVID-19 pandemic, so I missed out on theexperience of playing in front of the East Bengal fans. I will try my best to prove my worth and makethe fans happy.”

Primarily a defensive midfielder, Ajay rose through the youth ranks with Bengaluru FC B before beingpromoted to BFC’s first team during the 2018-19 season.

Besides winning the Hero ISL 2018-19 title with the Blues, Ajay was also a vital member of thePunjab FC team that won its maiden Hero I-League title earlier this year. In the latest edition of theHero I-League, the young midfielder played 19 matches, scoring one goal and making three assists.The player registration is subject to completion of regulatory processes.

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