ISL side NorthEast United FC announce signing of Mark Zothanpuia
Mark Zothanpuia joins NorthEast United FC on a three-year-deal
NorthEast United FC have completed the signing of Mizoram-born defender Mark Zothanpuia on a 3-year deal, the club announced today.
The 24-year-old joins the Highlanders after establishing himself in the Indian Super League with Hyderabad FC, East Bengal FC and Jamshedpur FC, adding further top-flight experience to Juan Pedro Benali’s squad ahead of the season.
A solid addition to the squad
Born on 22 April 2002 in Serchhip, Mizoram, Zothanpuia’s journey has taken him from the youth setup of FC Pune City to becoming an Indian Super League champion. Comfortable at left-back and equally capable of operating in midfield, he has earned a reputation for his versatility, work rate and composure on the ball.
After joining Hyderabad FC’s reserve side in 2019, Zothanpuia was promoted to the senior team ahead of the 2020-21 season. He went on to make more than 20 ISL appearances for the club and played his part in Hyderabad’s 2021-22 Indian Super League title-winning campaign.
His performances earned him a move to East Bengal FC in June 2024, where he continued his Indian Super League journey before joining Jamshedpur FC ahead of the 2025-26 season. Having already experienced success at the highest level of Indian club football, Zothanpuia arrives at NorthEast United with valuable top-flight experience across multiple ISL clubs.
On the international stage, Zothanpuia has represented the India U23 National team, featuring in the squad for the international friendlies against Malaysia in 2024. During his time, he played under Head Coach Naushad Moosa, who also serves as NorthEast United FC’s Technical Director and Head Coach of the Reserve Team.
Now, the defender returns closer to home by joining the Highlanders, bringing with him valuable championship experience and a strong connection to the region he proudly represents.
First reactions to Zothanpuia’s arrival
Speaking on the signing, Zothanpuia expressed his views and excitement.
“I’m looking forward to this next step in my career. NorthEast United is a club that represents this region, and that means a lot to me as someone from the Northeast. I’ve had good experiences at every club I’ve played for so far, and I want to keep building on that here.”
Head coach Juan Pedro Benali said: “Mark is a player with good experience in this league already, including winning it. His versatility means we can use him in more than one position, which is valuable for us over a long season. We’re happy to have him with the squad.”
NorthEast United FC CEO Mandar Tamhane added: “We’re delighted to welcome Mark to NorthEast United. He is one of the region’s finest footballers, and we’re excited to bring a player from Mizoram back to represent the NorthEast. His experience, versatility and roots in the region make him an excellent addition as we continue building a strong squad for the season ahead.”
What is the contract duration of Mark Zothanpuia at NorthEast United FC?
Mark Zothanpuia joins NorthEast United on a three-year contract.
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Ayushman Sharma is a sports enthusiast with a deep love for football, following the game closely since 2018. A hardcore supporter of NorthEast United FC and FC Barcelona, he has also gained valuable on-ground experience by volunteering during FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in Guwahati.