Mohammedan SC sign defenders Arijit Bagui, Manoj Mohammed

The West Bengal duo has previously represented the other two Kolkata giants previously in the I-League.

Former Mohun Bagan centre-back Arijit Bagui and former East Bengal full-back Manoj Mohammed have joined Mohammedan SC for the upcoming season of the I-League, Khel Now can confirm.

The century-old Kolkata giants recently bagged promotion to the second tier and are currently busy with their team formation. They made headlines a few days ago by bringing in Ghanaian midfielder Mohammed Fatau and have now added two promising defenders to their roaster.

Bagui had a great stint with Bhawanipore FC in the recently concluded I-League Qualifiers, as he bagged a regular spot in Sankarlal Chakraborty's team. The 2018-19 Mohun Bagan Player of the Year had a key role to play in the Green and Maroons' Calcutta Football League (CFL) triumph under Sanjoy Sen and earned consistent caps in the I-League. The 27-year-old Mohun Bagan academy graduate was ruled out last season due to injury and is expected to make a comeback with the Black Panthers.

Meanwhile, in 2018, the then East Bengal head coach Alejandro Menendez promoted Manoj Mohammed from the the U-18 team and slotted him in the left-back position for the Red and Gold. Though he bagged a consistent spot under the Spaniard, the 21-year-old promising defender hailing from North Bengal failed to make any appearances last season after Garcia's departure. Naturally a centre-back, Mohammad is a utility player, capable of playing across the back four.

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Thus, the West Bengal duo are expected to make a comeback in the I-League with Mohammedan SC. The Black Panthers earned their spot in the country's second tier after seven long years and are determined to move up the ladder in the coming years.