Indian Football Transfers: Vikram Partap to Mumbai City, Samuel to Odisha

Several high-profile moves took place in the domestic circuit in the past week.

The Indian football teams and franchises have kept themselves occupied with some frenetic transfers in the last week.

Few of them have been hellbent on going for a complete squad overhaul this summer, whereas others have been making the odd crucial moves. In Khel Now’s weekly transfer roundup, we bring you some of the most remarkable and telling news of players switching sides in the Indian football circuit.

Mumbai City FC

Vikram Partap Singh

Let’s begin with the ISL franchise that has been on its toes ever since the previous season concluded. In the last few days, it came to light that the Islanders have signed up Indian Arrows’ starlet Vikram Partap Singh ahead of the upcoming campaign. The 18-year-old forward was immensely talked about and potentially had numerous suitors lining up to secure his signature. However, the City Football Group-owned setup brought him in a ₹50 lacs deal.

Hyderabad FC

Akash Mishra

Khel Now broke the news of 18-year-old Akash Mishra joining Hyderabad FC from Indian Arrows for a transfer fee worth ₹40 lacs. The left-back was a vital part of the AIFF developmental team and played 16 I-League matches in the previous campaign. Moreover, he was also a member of the Indian unit that won the SAFF U-18 Championship in Nepal last year. Hyderabad look keen to expand their base of domestic players. Hence, bagging Akash for a reasonably seems to be a promising move by the franchise.

Odisha FC

Stuart Baxter

The head coach's position at Odisha FC has been lying vacant since Josep Gombau left the job in March this year. However, Khel Now has brought to light the fact that former South Africa national team manager Stuart Baxter is the franchise’s first-choice to take over the reigns.

The Englishman has been in the coaching circuit for the last 25 years and has also won two South African league titles with Kaizer Chiefs.

Samuel Lalmuanpuia

On Thursday this week, we exclusively confirmed that Odisha FC are set to sign Kerala Blasters’ talented midfielder, Samuel Lalmuanpuia for a two-year deal. The former Shillong Lajong player left the Kochi-based team after representing them in only five ISL games in the last campaign. Incidentally, on the very next day, Odisha FC officially announced Lalmuanpuia’s arrival.

Kerala Blasters

Sandesh Jhingan

In perhaps the most startling update of the week, Kerala Blasters’ stalwart Sandesh Jhingan left the club. The Blasters have asked their players to take a wage cut due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and that could possibly be a reason behind a few of their players seeking greener pastures.

In Jhingan’s case, Khel Now informed that the player’s camp had told the club that the central defender has an offer from a foreign club and hence asked to be released. However, nothing concrete has so far emerged about the 26-year-old’s next destination.

Givson Singh:

Khel Now understands that Kerala Blasters are close to completing the signing of Indian Arrows’ attacking midfielder, Givson Singh. The 17-year-old would pen an initial three-year contract with the Blasters. Apparently, Mumbai City FC are in the race to rope in Givson too.

The lad delivered certain impressive performances in the preceding campaign, wherein he played 16 matches for the Arrows in the I-League. Givson scored two goals, assisted twice and demonstrated a tenacious work-rate too. However, it remains to be seen whether he manages to take the required steps to further succeed in his career after donning the Kerala Blasters’ jersey.

NorthEast United

Ponif Vaz

Goal has revealed that NorthEast United have signed Churchill Brothers defender Ponif Vaz. The 27-year-old has penned a three-year contract with the club. Vaz was previously touted to move to ATK according to the report, but the full-back has opted to join the Highlanders ahead of the next ISL season. Vaz made 13 appearances in the I-League in the 2019-20 term and scored a solitary goal in addition to a couple of assists.

East Bengal

Unsurprisingly, East Bengal have roped in players aplenty this week too. In the coming segment, we'll detail some of the notable signings that they have managed to pull off in the past few days.

CK Vineeth

The seasoned forward had disclosed in an Instagram chat that he is in talks to join the Red and Gold. That has been confirmed by the club, who announced the signing almost a week ago. Vineeth represented Jamshedpur FC in the 2019-20 ISL season and scored a single goal in 10 appearances. His recent career has been plagued by injury issues and hence the 32-year-old will look to start afresh in the I-League.

Rino Anto

East Bengal have inducted Bengaluru FC’s full-back Rino Anto into their squad too. The Tata Football Academy product was found wanting for game-time with the Blues and hence has joined the flurry of players who would be donning the Red and Gold jersey for the first time next season.

Vikas Saini, Anil Chavan & Pritam Singh

In a joint announcement, the Kolkata-based side confirmed the signings of the trio of Vikas Saini, Anil Chavan and Pritam Singh. Saini is a defender, who can play in the full-back slot and turned up for Mohammedan Sporting Club in the 2019-20 campaign. Pritam Singh is a central defender and East Bengal acquired him from Kerala Blasters.

On the other hand, Anil Chavan played for the reserves team of ATK in the I-League Second Division. Chavan played eight matches in thhe competition last campaign. He previously led Sesa Football Academy to to Goa Professional League title in the 2018-19 season.