FC Bengaluru United rope in defender Gursimrat Singh Gill

The defender has previously had experience of playing with Indian Super League outfits Bengaluru FC and NorthEast United.

FC Bengaluru United have roped in India U-19 international centre-back Gursimrat Singh Gill for the upcoming I-League qualifying tournament, which is scheduled to take place in West Bengal between 8th to 19th October.

The AIFF Elite Academy graduate has represented NorthEast United and Bengaluru FC across three stints. However, he could only make seven senior team appearances for the former Indian Super League champions and was often forced to play for the reserves side, which competes in the BDFA Super Division as well as in the group stage of the 2nd Division League.

The announcement of the signing was made on FC Bengaluru United official twitter handle which read, “A talented CB, Gursimrat joins us after two stints with Bengaluru FC and one with NEUFC. He's raring to make his mark in the domestic circuit with FCBU and is keen to see his new home qualify for the I-League. Welcome to namma ooru!”

The 22-year-old joins another talented youngster Ronaldo Oliveira in the FC Bengaluru United squad, along with the likes of Trinidad and Tobago international and former Churchill Brothers defender Robert Primus and Ghanaian midfielder William Opoku.

FC Bengaluru United are coached by Richard Hood who has seen Gursimrat’s progress closely, having been a former coach in Bengaluru FC’s youth setup. He is assisted by former India captain Gouramangi Singh, who started his first professional coaching career at the club earlier this year.

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The 2nd Division League group stage came to a halt due to coronavirus pandemic, following which, the AIFF decided to play a five-team  qualifier in West Bengal. Along with FC Bengaluru United, ARA FC from Ahmedabad, Garhwal FC from Delhi, Mohammedan Sporting and Bhowanipore FC from Kolkata will battle out for the I-League spot. The tournament is set to be played in a round robin format and the team that ensures the top position will be promoted to the I-League.