Churchill Brothers sign ex-Kerala Blasters keeper Shibin Raj Kunniyil

The custodian has previously played for Mohun Bagan and Gokulam Kerala in the I-League.

I-League outfit Churchill Brothers have completed the signing of former Kerala Blasters goalkeeper Shibin Raj Kunniyil ahead of the upcoming 2020-21 season, the club announced on Sunday. The 27-year-old has signed a one-season deal with the Goan club, Khel Now understands.

Having begun his career as a youth team player at Sports Authority of India (SAI) Thiruvananthapuram, his earliest claim to fame happened in 2016 when Shibin Raj Kunniyil joined Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan. He made his debut for them on April 20, 2017, as they faced the Maldives-based Maziya S&RC in the AFC Cup. Ten days later, Shibin Raj Kunniyil made his I-League debut when he came in as a substitute against Chennai City FC.

The custodian plied his trade with the Mariners for one more year, before Gokulam Kerala came calling ahead of the 2018-19 season. He went on to feature for them in their I-League campaign, making ten appearances in the competition. As the season concluded, the 27-year-old agreed terms on a one-year deal with Kerala Blasters and shifted base to Kochi as their third choice shot-stopper. However, Shibin Raj Kunniyil did not feature in a single match for the southerners - and in September, he announced that he has parted ways with the club following the end of his time with them.

“Shake hands with today; it is here already. Bid farewell to yesterday; it’s gone already. Never let yesterday’s pain rob you of today’s gains. Drive yourself positively! Thank you Kerala Blasters and their fans!" the 27-year-old had written to the club on his parting message.

Meanwhile, Churchill Brothers are all set to improve on their lowly eighth-place finish from the 2019-20 season in the I-League. They have already roped in former Gokulam Kerala FC boss Fernando Santiago Varela as their new manager, and more signings are expected to follow in the weeks to come.

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