ISL outfit East Bengal rope in FC Goa defender Jay Gupta for massive 1.6 Cr

The transfer could finally solve Red and Gold’s long-standing left-back woes.

Kolkata Giants East Bengal have made a significant statement in the transfer market by signing Jay Gupta from FC Goa for an approximate fee of ₹1.60 crore.

The Indian international left-back joins the Kolkata giants on a multi-year deal, marking one of the most significant domestic transfers of this summer window. The official paperwork was completed in the last 24 hours.

The move comes after another underwhelming Indian Super League (ISL) season, in which East Bengal finished outside the playoff position for the second consecutive year, falling well short of fan expectations.

Determined to rebuild early this time for the 2025-26 season, the club appointed former Hyderabad FC head coach Thongboi Singto as Head of Football to change their recruitment department and have already made multiple moves in the domestic market.

East Bengal began their recruitment drive by signing below domestic players:

• Edmund Lalrindika from Inter Kashi
• Martand Raina from Rajasthan United for ₹30 lakhs
• Bipin Singh from Mumbai City on a free transfer
•  Ramsanga Tlaichhun from Real Kashimir on a free transfer

Despite the activity, the fullback position remained a glaring weakness. Neither Lalrindika (an attacking midfielder), Bipin (a winger), nor Raina (a centre-back) directly addressed the club’s struggles at left-back—a problem that has persisted for multiple seasons.

East Bengal were previously linked with Naorem Roshan Singh and Abhishek Teckcham, but both deals fell through for undisclosed reasons. Their initial bid for Jay Gupta was also rejected by FC Goa earlier in the window.

Persistence pays off

However, Khel Now understands that East Bengal returned with an improved offer, which was finally accepted by the FC Goa.

“East Bengal approached early after season ended but their first offer wasn’t strong enough. Their renewed bid convinced FC Goa and they’ve finally landed their man,” said a source close to the deal.

Jay Gupta: Rising Star of Indian Football

The Pune-born left-back began his career as a centre-back, training for two years at FC Pune City before heading to Portugal. He gained valuable exposure at clubs like GDS Cascais and Estoril Praia B, and also had a stint at Ebre Escola in Spain. In August 2023, he returned to India to sign with FC Goa.

Gupta made his India senior debut in Kolkata against Kuwait in June 2024 and featured again versus Qatar under Igor Stimac. Highly rated by the national team staff, he brings versatility—capable of playing as a left-back or left-sided centre-back.

In the ISL till now, Gupta has made 42 appearances, scoring 2 goals and providing 3 assists for FC Goa over two seasons.

A key piece in the puzzle

For East Bengal fans, Gupta’s arrival is a reason to be hopeful. His inclusion not only plugs a crucial gap in the backline but also brings international pedigree and positional flexibility.

As East Bengal aim for a turnaround in the 2025–26 ISL season, all eyes will be on their new signings to finally deliver the Red & Gold brigade back to glory.

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