Chennaiyin FC part ways with Golden Boot winner Nerijus Valskis

The Lithuanian striker was a kingpin in the attack for the Marina Machans last season.

Chennaiyin FC have officially parted ways with Indian Super League 2019-20 season's Golden Boot winner Nerijus Valskis.

The Lithuanian forward was a key figure in the attack for the Marina Machans in their remarkable run to the final of the competition. The club had a rough start to the campaign under former head coach John Gregory, as they struggled in front of goal. However, since the arrival of Owen Coyle, now Jamshedpur FC head coach, the team made an excellent comeback, finishing in the top four.

While Anirudh Thapa and Lallianzuala Chhangte were lethal in attack, Nerijus Valskis grabbed the attention with his ferocious displays. In 20 games for the club, the striker netted 15 goals and provided six assists to cap a fantastic season, winning the Golden Boot award for his feat.

Along with former boss Owen Coyle, Nerijus Valskis becomes Chennaiyin FC's second high-profile departure within a week. In a social media post thanking the player for his services, the club wrote, "The 2019-20 @indiansuperleague season would have been incomplete without his incredible goal-scoring record and the much-deserved Golden Boot."

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Compared to other clubs in the league, Chennaiyin FC have been more or less silent in the ongoing transfer window. Nevertheless, the Marina Machans confirmed last week that left-back Jerry Lalrinzuala has signed a multi-year contract with the club. While that comes as a good news for fans, further announcements on new player signings and more importantly the appointment of a new head coach are awaited.