ISL: Nishu Kumar inks permanent deal, Rakip renews contract at East Bengal

Both Nishu and Rakip were vital components of Carles Cuadrat system at East Bengal last season.

Indian Super League (ISL) side East Bengal have permanently signed Indian left-back Nishu Kumar on a permanent deal and have renewed the services of right-back Mohamad Rakip, as per reports. 

Nishu was on loan at East Bengal from Kerala Blasters in the 2023-24 ISL season while Rakip joined the Red & Golds in 2022. The left-back brought an end to his association with Kerala Blasters and inked a new deal with the Kolkata giants. 

This move comes as good news for the Red & Golds’ faithful as both Nishu Kumar and Mohamad Rakip have been key performers for the side. East Bengal are showing early signs of building something big under Carles Cuadrat this season and have made their intentions very clear.

Nishu and Rakip’s performance at East Bengal

Carles Cuadrat reunited with one of his most trusted players Nishu Kumar after he took over the hot seat at East Bengal. Nishu became a regular starter for the Kolkata giants as he registered 29 appearances and recorded five assists across all competitions this season.

Rakip has also been a consistent starter for East Bengal ever since joining them in the summer of 2022. He has gone on to play 39 games for them and has a solitary assist to his name across all competitions in the last couple of seasons.

East Bengal’s 2023-24 season

It was a season of mixed emotions for the Red & Gold Brigade. They improved a lot under Carles Cuadrat and the results were there for everyone to see. But, they couldn’t do much in the ISL and went through another forgetful campaign.

However, they turned the tables around big time in other competitions. They finished as the runners-up in the 2023 Durand Cup before ending their trophy drought with a Super Cup triumph early this year.

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