Weekly Transfer Roundup: Apuia to Mumbai City, Airam Cabrera joins FC Goa

The past week saw some very interesting moves in the Indian transfer market.

The transfer market is heating up as clubs are making some incredible moves for their targets and dream signings. The window presents the perfect opportunity to sign preferred targets and strengthen the team. The conclusion of the previous season presents clubs the areas which require recruitment. As for several other clubs under new management, the transfer market is the perfect source to go in a new direction.

There were some notable moves and a record signing in the past week of transfers in the Indian Super League and I-League. The upcoming season of Indian football starts later in 2021 and will be highly exciting. Teams in both competitions have been proactive in identifying and signing the right players for their ambitions.

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Here is a quick roundup of all the transfer moves which took place this past week:

Indian Super League

Chennaiyin FC

Chennaiyin FC signed a new foreign player in Ariel Borysiuk in the past week. The experienced Polish defensive midfielder has previously played in the German Bundesliga. The former FC Kaiserslautern player has signed a one-year contract with the two-time ISL champions.

The Marina Machans also signed defender Davinder Singh on a one-year deal ahead of the upcoming season. The 25-year-old had been battling an injury for the last few months and will be a good addition to the squad. He will be hoping to use this opportunity to make his mark and aim for a national team call-up.

Mumbai City FC

Mumbai City FC mean business and intend to dominate the ISL for the upcoming years. They have made strong moves in the market to make that happen. Following the departure of Hugo Boumos on a record transfer fee, the Islanders have brought in Lalngmawia Ralte or ‘Apuia’ from NorthEast United.

The outfit has signed last year’s ‘Emerging Player of the Season’ who is also the youngest player to captain an ISL side. The player also received the honour of the FPAI Young Player of the Season for 2020-21.

FC Goa

FC Goa have announced the signing of Spanish striker Airam Cabrera ahead of the new season. The 33-year-old will have big boots to fill after Igor Angulo departed from the club. The forward has previously played for Villarreal CF 'B' and Cadiz CF. He recently played first-tier football in Poland for Wisla Plock. 

Princeton Rebello has penned an extension with the Gaurs. The exciting winger has signed a multi-year deal with the club. The 22-year-old will now be a Gaur until 2024 after signing a three-year extension. He was also a part of the squad that played in the AFC Champions League 2021.

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Jamshedpur FC

Jamshedpur FC have retained their club captain Peter Hartley for one more season. The centre-back played 19 times for the Men of Steel last year and was hugely impressive. Owen Coyle trusts his leadership qualities at the back and will rely on his experience to keep the opposition from scoring. 

Odisha FC

Odisha FC have brought in Spanish centre-back Hector Rodas ahead of the next season. The defender will likely take his place alongside compatriot Victor Mongil in the eighth edition of the ISL.

“I am extremely happy to join Odisha FC. I am looking forward to meeting my teammates and the coaches and also reaching India for the ISL. We want to achieve good things at OFC and we all will work towards one common goal, “ he said in response to the move.

I-League

RoundGlass Punjab FC

RoundGlass Punjab were active in the past week and signed experienced players for their squad. They announced the arrival of Robin Singh into their ranks ahead of the next season. The former Indian international is a veteran in Indian football and will bring buckets of experience to a relatively young squad.

RGPFC also announced the signing of Rino Anto on a one-year deal. The former Bengaluru FC defender joins the I-League outfit in a competition which he has won twice before in 2014 and 2016.

Another player joining the RGPFC squad is CK Vineeth. The experienced striker, also a former BFC player, joins the I-League outfit before the 2021/22 season. Signing former Blues players is definitely the result of bringing in Ashley Westwood as the head coach. He has worked with these players and knows a lot about the Indian football landscape. Vineeth last played for SC East Bengal and game-time should help him find his form next season.

Gurtej Singh is the fourth player to join RoundGlass Punjab FC in the past week. The defender spent the latter half of last term with Mohammedan SC after failing to appear for SCEB in the ISL. The local boy from Punjab will hope to shine for the outfit and also reignite his career. He has signed a one-year contract.

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FC Bengaluru United

Denil Rebello joins FC Bengaluru United from Vasco SC. “Denil Rebello has joined FC Bengaluru United. He has agreed terms and signed on a short-term deal with them,” sources close to the developments informed Khel Now. The club may play in the I-League Qualifiers, pending confirmation from the All India Football Federation.

Another figure joining the club is custodian Melroy Fernandes. He was a part of Dempo SC’s Goa Professional League squad last season. The Bengaluru-based club have signed quite a few Goan talents in recent times, six to be exact.

The club have also roped in Sanju Pradhan from RoundGlass Punjab FC for the upcoming I-League qualifiers. Pradhan played nine games for RGPFC last season and assisted once. The 32-year-old brings with him vast experience having played and won multiple titles with East Bengal. Pradhan also represented ATK, NorthEast United, FC Pune City and Mumbai City in the ISL.

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Gokulam Kerala

Reigning I-League champions Gokulam Kerala have signed Beneston Barretto. The 23-year-old striker last played in the Goa Professional League and scored six goals.

“I am delighted to be part of the champion team. I am confident that I could bring a positive influence to the team and help Gokulam Kerala FC defend the title,” said Beneston Barretto after signing a two-year deal.

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