Weekly Transfer Roundup: Jorge Diaz to Kerala Blasters; Lima extends stay

The previous week experienced a number of deals being agreed upon in Indian football.

The new season in Indian football is fast approaching. The ongoing transfer window is the perfect opportunity for the clubs to prepare their teams ahead of a grueling season. There were several moves in Indian football in terms of new arrivals, departures, contract renewals and more in the past week.

The Indian Super League and the I-League are set to start later in 2021 tentatively and the transfer window is down at its business end. The past week also saw many foreign arrivals, signed by the clubs to further their ambitions next term. 

Here is a weekly roundup of all the transfers that took place in the past week in Indian football:

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Indian Super League

Bengaluru FC

Former ISL champions Bengaluru FC have signed Bruno Ramires after the conclusion of their AFC Cup 2021 run. The Brazilian midfielder has signed a two-year deal with the club. The 27-year-old is the ninth overall signing under the new leadership of Marco Pezzaiuoli.

Kerala Blasters

Sergio Cidoncha has left Kerala Blasters FC to join Gimnástica Segoviana CF in Spain. The midfielder captained Kerala Blasters previously and spent three seasons in Indian football. He represented Jamshedpur FC in his debut season in the ISL as well. 

Kerala Blasters also welcomed a new player in their ranks, Argentinian forward Jorge Pereyra Diaz. The 31-year-old has joined the club on a one-year loan from Club Atlético Platense. The fans will hope their new forward can change the club's fortunes next season.

FC Goa

The Gaurs announced the arrival of Nongdamba Naorem after the winger struggled for gametime with Kerala. The player has signed a long-term contract with FC Goa.

“Today is a big day. I am very happy to sign for one of the biggest clubs in India. It’s a club that I feel is the best fit for me and is one that I have admired for a long time. I am now looking forward to understanding what the coach demands from me and script a new chapter in my life,” he said.

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Jamshedpur FC

The Men of Steel have retained their Brazilian playmaker Alex Lima. The midfielder has signed a one-year extension after playing 19 games last year. Owen Coyle likes the player and will rely on his creativity to score goals and provide the other forwards with good service.

Mumbai City FC

The reigning ISL champions have confirmed the signing of Cassio Gabriel. The midfielder comes on a season-long loan from Campeonato Brasileiro Serie B club Vila Nova. The 29-year old started his youth career with Fluminense and will be an important cog in the Islanders' attack next term. 

SC East Bengal

SC East Bengal have started signing new players after their involvement in ISL’s eighth edition was confirmed. The club have already signed FC Goa midfielder Amarjit Singh Kiyam on a season-long deal from FC Goa. The 20-year-old, who joined FC Goa from Jamshedpur FC in January, played two games in the ISL for the Gaurs last season and also four times in the AFC Champions League.

East Bengal are also likely to sign former ATK Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya ahead of the 2021/22 season.

“Arindam Bhattacharya is most likely to join SC East Bengal in the coming days. It is almost a done deal,” sources close to the developments informed Khel Now. The player is one of the best custodians in the ISL and will be a great addition for the team. A host of other players are also linked with East Bengal.

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I-League/I-League Qualifiers

Gokulam Kerala FC

The reigning I-League champions have brought in former Chennai City skipper Charles Anandraj Lourdusamy. The 29-year-old Railways midfielder has over 43 appearances in the I-League. He will look to use his qualities to shore up the midfield and provide cover to the defenders. 

The Malabarians have also brought in Aminou Bouba on a one-year deal. The Cameroonian center-back arrives as a replacement of their captain Mohamed Awal. The experienced defender has plied his trade in Cameroon, Tunisia, Algeria and Guinea in Africa. He has also represented a few clubs in Saudi Arabia.

Indian women's team international Dangmei Grace has also joined Gokulam Kerala FC. She arrives ahead of the club's participation in the inaugural AFC Women’s Club Championship. The women’s team will also defend their crown in the Indian Women’s League (IWL) next term.

Mohammedan Sporting Club

The I-League outfit has brought in Phrangki Buam on loan from FC Goa. The player made only a single appearance for the ISL outfit in AFC Champions League 2021. He will now represent the Kolkata-based club during the 2021/22 season and hope for more gametime.

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NEROCA FC

NEROCA FC have signed Sergio Mendigutxia ahead of the new season. The forward has previously played in the La Liga for Sporting Gijon. The 28-year-old has signed a one-year deal with the club. Sergio Mendigutxia is NEROCA FC’s fourth and final overseas signing.

FC Bengaluru United 

BDFA Super Division Champions FC Bengaluru United have roped in Luka Majcen and Pedro Manzi. Both forwards have previously played in Indian football. They will look to start off by achieving success in the upcoming Durand Cup.

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