Pritam Kotal joins Chennaiyin FC on a two-and-half-year deal from Kerala Blasters

An experienced defender, Pritam Kotal can help the Marina Machans strengthen the backline.

Pritam Kotal, the 31-year-old right-back, and his club Kerala Blasters FC have mutually decided to part ways this Sunday. The defender has already joined another Indian Super League outfit, Chennaiyin FC, on a two-and-a-half-year deal and has participated in the club’s morning training season.

Pritam Kotal has played fourteen matches so far for Kerala Blasters FC. He was not in the squad against NorthEast United FC on the 18th of January, 2025. In 14 matches, he assisted one goal against Punjab FC in the first ISL match of the season. In defence, Kotal won 2 tackles, 19 duels, 9 aerial duels, made 10 blocks, 31 recoveries, and 37 clearances for Kerala Blasters FC in the ISL season 2024-25.

🗣️ The club is delighted to announce the signing of 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐦 𝐊𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 on a two-and-a-half-year deal. The defender has already hit the ground running, joining the squad for training earlier today 💙🤩#AllInForChennaiyin pic.twitter.com/N2XpKYIKPr

— Chennaiyin F.C. (@ChennaiyinFC) January 19, 2025

On the other hand, Kerala Blasters appear to have pulled off a significant transfer coup by securing a pre-contract deal with Chennaiyin FC defender Bikash Yumnam.

How Kotal signing will help Chennaiyin FC

Chennaiyin FC started the ISL 2024-25 season on a positive note. In the season’s opening game, the team defeated Odisha FC with a 2-3 scoreline. However, the team is now struggling. In the last four matches, the team faced defeats against Bengaluru FC and Mumbai City FC and also played two frustrating draws against Mohammedan SC and Odisha FC after leading 2-0 for a significant amount of time.

The main issue with the club is the backline; the team has conceded the second-highest number of goals, 27 goals in 16 matches so far. The signing of Pritam Kotal for Chennaiyin FC can help the club strengthen the backline and add more maturity to it.

Have no doubts about joining

Speaking about joining Chennaiyin FC, Pritam Kotal shares his thoughts. He said, “Very happy to be here and be a part of the Chennaiyin FC family. The coach explained he really wanted me in his team, so when I got the offer, I had no doubts about joining. This is a very good team that plays well. My goal from hereon would be to try and win every match and go to the playoffs.”

“Coach Coyle has been here for a few years, he knows the league, the Indian players. The players, too, know and respect him. I want to give everything on the pitch and I am very happy to play under him,” Kotal added.

Talking about the ne arrival, head coach Owen Coyle said, “We’re absolutely delighted to bring Pritam to the football club. He’s a player who has played at the highest level and represented India over 50 times. He has been a champion in the league and has great leadership qualities to go with his footballing ability. He is very driven. I spoke to him at length, he wants to come into the club, help the younger players, and obviously show how good a player he is.”

“It’s a great fit for the club. A very good character, a leader, and he’ll certainly help the team in the second half of the season,” Coyle added.

Pritam Kotal’s football journey so far

The defender joined Kerala Blasters FC from Mohun Bagan Super Giant in July 2023 on a three-year contract. Pritam Kotal made his ISL debut with FC Pune City in 2014, the first season of ISL. The defender has won numerous trophies. In 2015, he won the I-League trophy with Mohun Bagan and was also awarded the Best Defender of the Year 2015. He won three ISL trophies with Atlético de Kolkata in 2016, ATK Mohun Bagan in 2020, and Mohun Bagan Super Giant in 2023.

Pritam Kotal debuted for the national senior team against Nepal on the 12th of March, 2015. For the national team, the defender has played 52 games and won the Intercontinental Cup in 2018 and 2023. He is also a three-time champion of the SAFF Championship, winning in 2015, 2021, and 2023.

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