Indian Football Transfers: Coyle joins Jamshedpur, Ivan Gonzalez to Goa

Multiple Indian Super League clubs announced new signings in the recently concluded week.

The transfer window in Indian football commenced from August. Considering the fact, it is unsurprising that Indian football clubs are finalising the speculated transfers with their coaches and players aplenty now. Contrary to the pattern observed in the last month or so, the reports were primarily concerned with the Indian Super League and not the I-League in the week gone by. Without further ado, let us elaborate on some trending stories in the previous seven days.

ATK Mohun Bagan

Edu Garcia

As revealed by Khel Now exclusively in April, ATK Mohun Bagan provided a contract extension to their Spanish midfielder Edu Garcia. In accordance to the new agreement, the 30-year-old is tied to the club until 2022 now. He was an immensely vital part of ATK’s midfield in their ISL-winning campaign in 2019-20 and will be expected to sustain his level of performances for the club in the upcoming campaign.

FC Goa

Jorge Ortiz Mendoza

https://twitter.com/FCGoaOfficial/status/1291622853876625408

FC Goa have strengthened their forward line by acquiring the services of Jorge Ortiz Mendoza. The Spaniard plays as a winger and has even been a part of Atletico Madrid B in the 2017-18 season. The 28-year-old turned up for Atletico Baleares in the Segunda B campaign in 2019-20 and notched eight goals in 27 matches. Hugo Boumous’ departure created a massive vacuum in FC Goa’s attack and the incoming Spaniard will be expected to replicate the impact created by the French-Moroccan in the last two seasons.

Ivan Gonzalez

As disclosed by Khel Now, the Gaurs have also roped in centre-back Ivan Gonzalez from Cultural Leonesa on a two-year contract. Due to Carlos Pena’s retirement and Mourtada Fall on his way to Mumbai City FC, Goa are in dire need of some reinforcements in the backline.

Gonzalez had been associated with Leonesa in the last four seasons. Apparently, the team’s head coach Juan Ferrando believes that bringing someone of Gonzalez’s experience will benefit Goa incredibly ahead of their endeavours in the group stage of the AFC Champions League.

Mumbai City FC

Paulo Machado

Mumbai City FC officially parted ways with Portuguese midfielder Paulo Machado, despite the player having an existing contract with the Islanders lasting until 2021. According to our report, the 34-year-old has attracted offers from his native country particularly from clubs like Vitória de Guimarães and Clube Desportivo de Tondela. Machado is keen to remain close to his family amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and will take a decision on his next destination soon.

Odisha FC

Rogerio Ramos

https://twitter.com/OdishaFC/status/1291263271438127104

Odisha FC have appointed Rogerio Ramos as their new goalkeeping coach ahead of the upcoming season. He has previously worked with the Indian football team and has penned a two-year deal with the Juggernauts. In addition to the stint with the Blue Tigers, he has had spells with Mahindra United and Vasco Sports Club too. The 46-year-old is well aware of the intricacies of football in India and that was apparently a major factor behind him being lured in by Odisha FC.

Annaroy Soibam

Odisha FC have also signed Annaroy Soibam, a teenager who led Unique Model Academy to the Reliance Foundation Youth Sports (RFYS) National Championships title in 2019-20. Soibam had notched 11 goals in five matches in that tournament and was awarded the Golden Boot courtesy of that. He will be joining the U-18 team of the Bhubaneshwar-based club, thus signifying the focus that Odisha FC have been putting on building a solid core of young players in their setup.

Jamshedpur FC

Owen Coyle

Jamshedpur FC have signed Owen Coyle as their new head coach, a development that was first put into the public eye by Khel Now in June this year. The former Chennaiyin FC tactician had a remarkable spell with the Marina Machans in the 2019-20 season.

ALSO READ: Exclusive: How Owen Coyle plans to grow Indian players at Jamshedpur

Jamshedpur FC have failed to qualify for the playoffs in their three seasons in the ISL. However, with Coyle at the helm, the Men of Steel are looking forward to exciting times in the league.

Nerijus Valskis

Goal has confirmed that Lithuanian striker Nerijus Valskis is set to join Jamshedpur FC on a two-year contract. The Golden Boot winner from last season was absolutely critical to Chennaiyin’s turnaround under the tutelage of Coyle. Valskis scored 15 goals and notched six assists in 20 matches in the league. He will possibly be a part of the Tata Steel-owned club from now onward, as Sergio Castel’s year-long loan spell has concluded and Jamhedpur FC are in search for a reliable goal-scorer as well. Moreover, Chennaiyin FC officially announced parting of ways with the Lithuanian striker earlier.

Memo Moura

Memo Moura’s spell with the Jharkhand-based club came to an end as the Brazilian announced his departure a few days ago. The 32-year-old was a vital and consistent part of Jamshedpur’s defensive line and they will have to look out for an adequate replacement for him. In a statement on social media, Memo Moura expressed his gratitude to the club, the staff and even left behind a bit of mystery regarding the reason for his departure.

He remarked, “I’m leaving with my head held high. I really wanted to continue, but there is God who knows why I didn’t continue. I thank God for helping me meet such lovely people, my Indian players, there are many I have taken up as brothers and will do for a lifetime. I will miss you all.”

Kerala Blasters

Denechandra Meitei

https://twitter.com/KeralaBlasters/status/1291257037121363968

Kerala Blasters have signed 26-year-old left-back Denechandra Meitei from TRAU FC for an initial one-year contract. There is an option in the agreement to extend his stay by another three years, which will probably depend upon his performances for the team in the coming season. The details of Meitei’s deal are very interesting.

A source close to the development revealed to Khel Now, “Kerala Blasters have completed the signing. He (Denechandra Meitei) will join them initially on a one-year contract worth ₹15 lacs – but if he impresses, the club can activate a clause that has been inserted into the deal, to extend his term by another three years. If the contract-extension clause is activated, he will also be eligible for an increment of ₹5 lacs in wages each year.”

Punjab FC

Floyd Pinto

Goal has divulged the detail that Floyd Pinto will join Punjab FC as the assistant coach for the next I-League campaign. Pinto has previously coached Indian Arrows and was second in command to Luís Norton de Matos for India’s U-17 national team. He will assist Curtis Fleming, who is Punjab FC’s head coach currently. The 33-year-old has had a promising career so far and a stint with the RoundGlass Sports-owned club will add a new feather to his cap.

Marquee Player

Yaya Toure

The Times of India reported that former FC Barcelona and Manchester City stalwart Yaya Toure was offered to multiple ISL clubs by Harcus Consultancy -- the midfielder’s Southeast Asian representative. Initially, his price was quoted to be ₹11.25 crore for an annual deal.

However, the clubs have been notified that Toure is prepared to reduce that amount to almost ₹3.75 crore considering the COVID-19 pandemic and possibly the financial repercussions caused due to the same. FC Goa, Bengaluru FC and a couple of other clubs are confirmed to have been contacted with this offer. Whether or not they decide to take it, remains to be seen.