Indian Football & ISL Transfer News
NorthEast United FC announce signing of Mohanraj K on five-year deal
Mohanraj K joins NorthEast United FC ahead of 2026-27 season
NorthEast United FC have completed the signing of India U23 goalkeeper Mohanraj K on a five-year contract, with the 22-year-old joining the Highlanders until 2031.
Born in Tamil Nadu, the young goalkeeper spent more than seven years developing within the Chennaiyin FC setup, steadily progressing through the academy ranks before becoming a regular for Chennaiyin FC-B and earning places in the senior team’s matchday squads.
Though an Indian Super League debut is still to come, his rise has been shaped by patience and willingness to embrace every opportunity.
NorthEast United FC strengthens the goalkeeping spot
Seeking regular first-team football, Mohanraj gained valuable senior experience through loan spells before joining Sporting Clube de Goa for the 2025-26 I-League 2 campaign, where he continued his development between the posts.
His biggest statement, however, came on the international stage.
Handed his India U23 debut in a friendly against Tajikistan by Head Coach Naushad Moosa, Mohanraj produced a string of outstanding saves to keep the Blue Colts in the contest until the final whistle. While the match ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat, the young goalkeeper made a standout debut.
His performance earned widespread praise and marked the arrival of one of the country’s brightest young goalkeeping prospects.
In doing so, he also became the first goalkeeper from Tamil Nadu in recent years to represent the India U23 national team, adding another milestone to a journey defined by steady progress.
Now, that journey brings him to Guwahati.
A new challenge for Mohanraj
At NorthEast United FC, Mohanraj joins a club that has consistently believed in young Indian talent and provided them with a platform to grow.
For a goalkeeper whose career has been built one step at a time, the Highlanders represent another opportunity to keep moving forward.
Speaking after signing for the Highlanders, Mohanraj said.
“Joining NorthEast United FC is a proud moment for me. I’ve worked hard for this opportunity and I’m excited to be part of a club that believes in developing young players. I’m looking forward to learning from the coaching staff and competing everyday for this badge.”
NorthEast United FC head coach Juan Pedro Benali added.
“A goalkeeper’s journey is different from every other position. It demands patience, resilience and constant learning. Mohanraj has already shown those qualities throughout his career, and his performances have demonstrated his ability. We look forward to working with him and helping him reach the next level.”
Welcoming Mohanraj to the club, CEO Mandar Tamhane said:
“One of our key objectives here (at NEUFC) is to identify young Indian players with the right mentality and provide them with an environment where they can grow. Mohanraj fits that profile perfectly. He has worked his way through every stage of his career, earned recognition with the India U23 team, and we believe this is the right place for him to continue taking the next steps.”
How long is Mohanraj’s contract at NorthEast United FC?
Mohanraj has signed a five-year deal with NorthEast that runs until 2031.
When did Mohanraj K make his India U23 debut?
He made his India U23 debut against Tajikistan under head coach Naushad Moosa.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.
Rohit Mistri is a sports journalist from Kolkata with over two years of experience in the field. He has extensively covered Indian football, including major tournaments such as the Calcutta Football League and the Indian Super League. His work spans on-ground reporting, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling, along with interviews of prominent sporting personalities. Rohit brings strong communication skills and a deep passion for sports narratives to everything he writes.