Indian Football Transfers: Crivellaro, Sahal Abdul Samad sign extensions

Several high profile players penned new deals with their respective clubs in the previous week.

The Indian football transfer market is quite occupied currently as several teams have started making their initial moves to secure some key targets in the ongoing window. In the last few months, one witnessed regular activities from a particular set of clubs. However, there are others like Hyderabad FC and NorthEast United FC who seem to be keen on reinforcing their respective rosters as we approach the new season of the Indian Super League.

Furthermore, there is a visible trend since the last few weeks that teams are firstly lengthening the stays of critical players from their setup rather than roping in new individuals straightaway. Needless to say, this pattern followed in the last seven days too. Without further ado, let us have a look at the major transfer moves made in the previous week.

FC Goa

Ivan Gonzalez

FC Goa announced the arrival of centre-back Ivan Gonzalez from Cultural Leonesa, as confirmed by Khel Now days prior to the official communication from the club. The Gaurs have to replace the duo of Mourtada Fall and Carlos Pena in the defence for the upcoming campaign. Gonzalez has signed a two-year deal with the club. He has represented Real Madrid’s U-19 team and their ‘C’ side in the past and promises to be a valuable addition to Juan Ferrando’s side.

ATK Mohun Bagan

Sk Sahil

Sk Sahil has been retained by ATK Mohun Bagan as the midfielder penned a three-year contract with the new entity earlier this week. The youngster was one of the brightest spark in the I-League in the 2019-20 season for Mohun Bagan and his impressive campaign has been rewarded as the Kolkata giants have decided to retain him until 2023.

Subhasish Bose

As exclusively disclosed by Khel Now in January this year, ATK Mohun Bagan have roped in defender Subhasish Bose on a five-year contract. The versatile defender announced his departure from Mumbai City FC on Monday representing the Islanders for two seasons. ATK Mohun Bagan has made their intentions to attain success quite clear by securing the Indian football team defender on such a long-term agreement.

Sumit Rathi

Furthermore, 18-year-old centre-back Sumit Rathi has penned an extension to his contract too. The Emerging Player of the Season from 2019-20 has lengthened his stay at ATK Mohun Bagan until 2025. Speaking on this vital development, Rathi remarked, “I am extremely grateful to the club for their trust in me and it gives me immense pride to represent ATK Mohun Bagan FC. I am very excited and honoured to don the green and maroon jersey next season.”

Chennaiyin FC

Eli Sabia

Brazilian defender Eli Sabia has extended his stay at Chennaiyin FC by another season. The 31-year-old has become a mainstay in the backline for the Marina Machans in his second stint with the club. He was instrumental in the team’s turnaround under the tutelage of Owen Coyle and Sabia will now continue to offer a composed, assured and reliable presence in the defense to Chennaiyin FC.

Rafael Crivellaro

Brazilian playmaker Rafael Crivellaro has also lengthened his tenure with the club until the end of 2020-21 campaign. He scored seven goals and assisted eight more in 20 appearances in 2019-20. Crivellaro’s decision to turn up for Chennaiyin FC is particularly important considering the fact their former prolific goal-scorer Nerijus Valskis has departed from the club whereas Andre Schembri announced his retirement at the end of the last season. Crivellaro’s presence will add further experience as the management acquires a new set of forwards for the forthcoming campaign.

Odisha FC

Joan Casanova

Odisha FC have retained Joan Casanova as their strength and conditioning coach for the upcoming season of the ISL. Casanova worked for the Juggernauts as a part of Josep Gombau’s team in the past and will continue to serve the club under the stewardship of Stuart Baxter as well.

Steven Dias

The Bhubaneshwar-based club also hired former India international Steven Dias as their new assistant coach. The 36-year-old was associated with Jamshedpur FC in 2019/20. Dias’ contract with Odisha FC lasts until the conclusion of the 2020-21 campaign.

Kerala Blasters

Sahal Abdul Samad

Sahal Abdul Samad has signed a contract extension with Kerala Blasters. According to the new agreement, the midfielder is tied with the Blasters until 2025. The 23-year-old has become a favourite amongst the followers of the club in the last couple of campaigns. Maybe this new contract is an attempt by the Kochi-based outfit to ward off any interest from other Indian football clubs to acquire the talented star.

Hyderabad FC

Halicharan Narzary

Hyderabad FC have roped in forward Halicharan Narzary on a two-year contract and accordingly taken one of their first significant forward strides in the transfer market. The seasoned winger had played 14 matches in the league last season for Kerala Blasters. He had scored a solitary goal and notched two assists. With the wealth of experience that Narzary possesses, he will surely add immense value to Albert Roca’s squad.

Sweden Fernandes

Sweden Fernandes has penned a three-year deal with Hyderabad FC, according to the Times of India. The 20-year-old used to turn up for FC Goa’s developmental side and has previously represented Dempo SC and Sporting clube de Goa.

The Gaurs had apparently offered Fernandes a similar contract for three years along with the possibility of being promoted to the senior team after a year. However, the lad opted for Hyderabad FC despite attracting interest from other I-League clubs too.

NorthEast United FC

Britto PM

Goal has revealed that NorthEast United FC are set to sign former Mohun Bagan winger Britto PM on a free transfer. The 27-year-old regularly featured for the Mariners in their title-winning campaign in the 2019-20 season. However, their merger with ATK will result in multiple players having to search for new clubs and the former Churchill Brothers player is no exception to that. The Highlanders gradually seem to be building a decent squad but there is still lack of clarity regarding their new head coach for the next season of the ISL.

Sanjiban Ghosh

Former Mumbai FC custodian Sanjiban Ghosh is set to join NorthEast United FC, according to Goal. The goalkeeper was a part of Chennaiyin FC’s squad since 2018-19 but could only represent the team on three occasions in the league. Ghosh has represented his multiple teams only sporadically in the ISL over the years. Hence, it remains to be seen whether the Highlanders have acquired him for a first-team role or to fill in as a backup to Subhasish Roy Chowdhury.

ALSO READ: Official: I-League 2020-21, 2nd Division Qualifiers to be held in Kolkata

Gokulam Kerala FC

Shayan Roy

Gokulam Kerala FC have signed goalkeeper Shayan Roy from TRAU FC, as exclusively disclosed by Khel Now in April. The 28-year-old old could not garner ample playing time for the Manipur-based club last season and turned up in only three I-League encounters. Roy has represented the likes of Punjab FC and Mohammedan SC amongst other clubs in the past and will look to turn up consistently for the Malabarians in the upcoming campaign.

Rishad PP

Gokulam have also signed midfielder Rishad PP. The player was a part of Kerala’s Santosh Trophy team that emerged victorious in the South Zone Qualifiers. The 25-year-old plays in a slightly defensive role at the centre of the park, and has prior experience of playing for Delhi United in the 2nd Division League.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Twitter and join our community on Telegram.