Kerala Blasters sign Kenstar Kharshong on multi-year deal

The 21-year-old centre-back was part of the Yellow Army's Reserves team earlier this year.

Indian Super League (ISL) outfit Kerala Blasters have signed Kenstar Kharshong from Shillong Lajong for an undisclosed transfer fee, Khel Now has learned. The 21-year-old centre-back was a part of the Kerala Blasters Reserves team that played in the 2nd Division League last season.

"Kerala Blasters have completed the signing of Kenstar Kharshong from Shillong Lajong. They will also pay Lajong an undisclosed fee to secure the transfer," a source close to the developments informed Khel Now. We have further understood that the young defender has been handed a three-year contract at the Kochi-based club.

Kenstar Kharshong rose to prominence by winning the U-18 I-League with Lajong's youth team in 2017. The following season, he made his debut in the I-League with their senior team and went on to feature in 11 matches, which included memorable wins against Indian Arrows, NEROCA FC and Aizawl FC. In 2018-19, he played in all of their I-League matches, bar one and starred in wins against Aizawl, Punjab FC (formerly Minerva Punjab) and Churchill Brothers.

However, Lajong had a largely disappointing season, as they finished at the bottom of the league table and got relegated. Kenstar then began the 2019-20 campaign with a bang, as he led his side to the title in the Shillong Premier League (SPL). He was also adjudged the best defender of the competition.

The team later decided against participating in the 2nd Division League and as a result, he moved to Kerala Blasters Reserves on a short-term loan deal in January this year. He was joined by Lajong teammates Samuel Lyngdoh Kynshi and Naorem Mahesh Singh and the trio played three matches before the league got cancelled due to COVID-19. All three players were hence forced to return home and rejoin their parent club, before the Blasters came calling for Kenstar once again -- this time with a permanent offer.

ALSO READ: Kerala Blasters sign Naorem Mahesh Singh from Shillong Lajong for undisclosed fee

Earlier, Khel Now had also confirmed that Naorem Mahesh Singh has penned a new three-year deal with the Yellow Army. 21-year-old Kharshong will now follow the path of his former teammate to the club..