Gokulam Kerala set to sign Shahajas Thekkan from Kerala Blasters

The 22-year-old was part of the Kerala Blasters side that won the Kerala Premier League 2019-20.

I-League outfit Gokulam Kerala are close to completing the signing of full-back Shahajas Thekkan, Khel Now can confirm. The Kerala-based footballer was with Indian Super League (ISL) club Kerala Blasters until recent times. However, he had parted ways with the outfit by mutual consent last week of September.

"Gokulam Kerala will sign Shahajas Thekkan ahead of the new season. The player has already agreed terms on a two-year contract with them. If all goes per plan, he will feature in I-League 2021-22 for the Malabarians," sources close to the development informed Khel Now.

The 22-year-old formerly captained the Kerala Blasters Reserves team and was a part of the Yellow Army's pre-season squad ahead of ISL 2021-22.

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Shahajas joined Kerala Blasters in 2017 and was immediately slotted into their reserves team, making a few appearances in the Second Division League. He also won the Kerala Premier League (KPL) with them in the 2019-20 season.

A few good performances in the 2020-21 season of the Kerala Premier League, along with the consistency that he has exhibited over the years helped the youngster earn a spot in the Kerala Blasters pre-season squad. However, while the club played a few friendlies and also took part in the Durand Cup, the defender found himself getting limited chances. It is believed that this may have been the reason for his contract termination with them.

Shahajas Thekkan declined to comment when Khel Now approached him for confirmation on the same.

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Gokulam Kerala's pre-season preparations

The Malabarians also took part in Durand Cup 2021. They qualified for the knockout stages from Group D which also featured Army Red, Hyderabad FC and Assam Rifles. However, Mohammedan SC eliminated them from the competition, beating them 1-0 in the quarter-finals. While that brought an end to the defending champions' campaign, their season is far from over as they will also look to defend their I-League title from last season.

Led by head coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese, Gokulam Kerala have already made a host of new signings. Rahim Osumanu, Elvis Chikatara and Aminou Bouba complete their foreign contingent alongside captain Sharif Mukhammad. Muhammed Uvais, Rakshit Dagar, Deepak Singh, Krishnananda Singh and others are some of their new domestic recruits.

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