I-League Transfers: Beitia to Punjab? Gokulam sign Mohammed Awal

Several players from the Indian Super League have been signed by clubs from the second tier.

The next edition of the I-League will commence in a couple of months and hence clubs seem to be working actively to bolster their squads in the transfer market. The previous week witnessed these outfits finalizing some major agreements. On the other hand, Mohammedan Sporting Club secured qualification to the league and hence the upcoming campaign of the competition is set to become even more fascinating.

For the last few months, the moves made by players between I-League clubs were often over-shadowed by the activities of the Indian Super League (ISL) clubs. However, the focus looks set to shift from the top-tier as most of the ISL clubs have already rounded off their business.

In this article, Khel Now looks at the developments made in the transfer window by I-League clubs in the previous week:  

Punjab FC

Joseba Beitia

Punjab FC are in talks to rope in former Mohun Bagan midfielder Joseba Beitia, Goal has reported. The Spaniard has apparently received several offers from other Indian clubs after being released by the Mariners, post their title-winning campaign in 2019-20.

He had started every game in the league for the club last season and will be a remarkable addition to the 2017-18 I-League champions, if the move materializes.

Sumeet Passi

Goal has also confirmed that former Jamshedpur FC forward Sumeet Passi has joined Punjab FC for the next I-League campaign. The 25-year-old had played 14 matches in the ISL last season and notched a goal and assist each.

Gokulam Kerala

Mohamed Awal

Khel Now exclusively reported that Gokulam Kerala have secured the signature of Ghana international defender Mohammed Awal. The player has penned a year-long agreement with the Malabarians and will play a critical role in their forthcoming I-League campaign. The 32-year-old has also been a part of the national team squad in two editions of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013 and 2015.

TRAU FC

Komron Tursunov

https://www.facebook.com/officialtraufc/posts/4097603576922111

TRAU FC have announced that Tajikistani midfielder Komron Tursunov has been roped in by them. The 24-year-old was a member of the Mohun Bagan squad that lifted the I-League title last season. He is a dynamic player with fine passing ability and often gets into goalscoring positions. In all probability, Tursunov will emerge as one of the regular starters for the Imphal-based club.

Churchill Brothers

Luka Majcen

The Times of India has reported that Churchill Brothers are close to completing a deal to sign Slovenian striker Luke Majcen. The 31-year-old last played for NK Triglav Kanj in his native country and it has been revealed that quite a few clubs from the ISL were monitoring him.

“The process is on. We are in talks with him and it is almost finalized. We are hoping for a great season,” Valanka Alemao, CEO of the Red Machines, told TOI.

NEROCA FC

Wexlin Shobhuraj & Nayan Agarwal

NEROCA FC have scouted and signed midfielder Wexlin Shoburaj. The club describe him as a versatile player, who can play in the middle of the park and in the backline too.

The Manipur-based outfit have also secured the signature of Nayan Agarwal, who is a graduate of the DSK Shivajians/Liverpool International Football Academy. He then trained at an academy in Manchester and also debuted for Chantabhuri FC, who play in the third division of Thai football.

Sudeva FC

Gursimrat Singh Gill

I-League new entrants Sudeva FC have signed 23-year-old centre-back Gursimrat Singh Gill on a two-year deal. The defender has been associated with clubs like Bengaluru FC and NorthEast United in the past.

Gill has represented India at different age-groups and will be eager to attain some playing time in his stint with the Delhi-based club.