Hyderabad FC sign six Indian players to rejuvenate squad for ISL 2024-25
FSDL finally approved BC Jindal Group’s takeover on 30 August 2024.
ISL 2021-22 champions Hyderabad FC have finally started assembling their squad for the upcoming 2024-25 season. The BC Jindal Group fully acquired the club on August 26, 2024, but the crucial approval from the FSDL only came through last evening.
The new owners faced a race against time to lift the 12 FIFA-imposed bans before the summer transfer window closed, which meant that the club couldn’t sign any players on permanent transfers or loans from other clubs. As a result, only free agents or players who terminated their contracts before the window closed could join the Nizams.
Hyderabad FC kicked off transfer deadline day by retaining Alex Saji and blocking any move to other ISL teams. Despite strong interest from three ISL clubs, the new owners were firm on retaining Saji, seeing him as an essential part of the team this season. However, contract extension talks with Saji remain stalled.
Khel Now can reveal that Hyderabad FC have signed six Indian players for the upcoming season. With the domestic signings nearly wrapped up, the club will focus on bringing in foreign players in the upcoming coming days.
“Sourav K, Isaac Vanmalsawma, Ayush Adhikari, Devendra Murgaonkar, Parag Shrivas and Leander D’Cunha are now Hyderabad FC players. The club acted swiftly to sign players who were either free agents or became free agents on deadline day,” a source tracking these transfers told Khel Now.
Sourav K – Right Winger
Former Gokulam Kerala winger Sourav K became one of the first signings of the BC Jindal era at Hyderabad FC, signing a three-year contract with the club. The India U-23 international played 21 games for GKFC, scoring three goals and providing one assist.
Isaac Vanmalsawma – Midfielder
Isaac Vanmalsawma, who previously played under Thangboi Singto at Shillong Lajong, is set to reunite with him at Hyderabad FC. The versatile midfielder offers Singto the flexibility to cover multiple positions and brings valuable experience to guide the younger players at the club.
Vanmalsawma has played 128 matches in his career with Shillong Lajong, Odisha FC, Jamshedpur FC, Chennaiyin FC, and Pune City. He has scored eight goals and provided seven assists in his career to date.
Ayush Adhikari – Defensive Midfielder
Ayush Adhikari terminated his contract with Chennaiyin FC to join Hyderabad FC as a free agent. The Delhi-born defensive midfielder joined CFC from Kerala Blasters for a transfer fee of Rs 60 Lakhs just last season. He made 26 appearances for the club but, to many people’s surprise, was deemed surplus to requirements by the CFC management and put on the transfer market. After not finding any suitors for the 24-year-old midfielder, they mutually terminated the contract so that he could join Hyderabad FC.
Devendra Murgaonkar – Centre-Forward
FC Goa forward Devendra Murgaonkar also mutually terminated his contract to join Hyderabad FC. The Panaji-born forward was in great form during the Durand Cup 2024, scoring two goals and providing two assists in just three matches for FC Goa’s reserve team. The 25-year-old forward has represented FC Goa 63 times, scoring nine goals and providing four assists. Coach Thangboi Singto will hope Murgaonkar will continue his goal-scoring form with his new club.
Parag Shrivas – Defender
Utility defender Parag Shrivas, who can play as a left-back, right-back, or centre-back, has also signed for Hyderabad FC after mutually terminating his contract with Bengaluru FC. Bengaluru FC informed the Maharashtra-born defender that he wasn’t part of their first-team plans for the season. When Hyderabad FC came calling, it was an easy decision for Bengaluru FC and Shrivas to part ways. He has played 94 times for Bengaluru FC, scoring six goals and providing two assists.
Leander D’Cunha – Defender
Goa-born right-back Leander D’Cunha has joined Hyderabad FC alongside his teammate Devendra Murgaonkar. D’Cunha terminated his contract with FC Goa on the 2024 summer deadline day. The 26-year-old defender was also in good form during the Durand Cup 2024, scoring one goal and assisting another in three matches. In total, he made 54 appearances for FC Goa in various competitions.
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