Avilash Paul signs long-term deal at ATK Mohun Bagan

The 25-year-old will stay at the newly-merged entity until 2024.

Avilash Paul has pledged his future to Indian Super League giants ATK Mohun Bagan by signing a four-year contract with the club. The 25-year-old has been with ATK since the 2018-19 season and has remained a backup to Arindam Bhattacharya for the past few campaigns.

Upon signing the deal, the local lad expressed his joy at being able to play for his hometown side and said, “I am delighted to have signed for ATK Mohun Bagan FC. I look forward to continuing my development at the club and facing the challenges that lie ahead.”

Paul has been the third-choice goalkeeper for ATK in recent seasons and being comparatively young, he’s still learning the trade. The Pune FC youth academy graduate earned his reputation for being one of the brightest young goalkeepers in the country after his breakthrough season at Aizawl FC in the 2017-18 I-League.

Avilash Paul played a big role in helping Aizawl avoid relegation and kept six clean-sheets in the I-League with them, also boasting the fourth-best defensive record in the league, as the former champions finished sixth in the campaign. With his excellent shot-stopping skills and overall goalkeeping package, the young goalkeeper was among the breakout stars of the competition before being picked up by ATK.

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He appeared for ATK in the Durand Cup last year, as they finished behind the Mariners in their group and were knocked out of the group stages. The 25-year-old is probably being eyed as the long-term custodian at the club, but will need to work very hard to replace Bhattacharya in the pecking order. With the Indian Super League set to begin a few months later, Avilash Paul will look to impress boss Antonio Lopez Habas and represent this newly-merged powerhouse in the season ahead.