NorthEast United retain talisman Federico Gallego for 2020-21 season

The Uruguayan midfielder will head into his third season with the Highlanders.

NorthEast United FC announced on Monday that they have retained Uruguayan midfielder Federico Gallego for the upcoming season. This will be the Uruguayan's third campaign with the Highlanders. Gallego has been a major part of NorthEast’s attack in the past two seasons, especially in their only playoffs appearance two terms ago.

The Higlanders’ newly-appointed head coach Gerard Nus also expressed his delight on Twitter saying, “This is great news for this club.” Federico Gallego first moved from Uruguayan club Club Atletico Borston River on loan in the year 2018. Gallego, alongside then new signing Bartholomew Ogbeche formed a lethal attack that season. Gallego went on to score four goals and create five more, as NorthEast United made their way into the semi-finals for the first time.

Unfortunately, NorthEast United were knocked out by eventual champions Bengaluru FC, as Gallego suffered a horrific injury and had to be stretchered off during the second leg. However, the club decided to retain him for a second season, despite him not recovering on time for the first half of the season. Gallego went on to make 10 appearances in which he scored one and assisted one.

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NorthEast United put up a rather disappointing show last season finishing ninth in the table. Their coach Robert Jarni was sacked after the club's dismal performances during the latter half of the season and was replaced by assistant coach Khalid Jamil for the rest of the campaign. Spaniard Nus who has been appointed as the new head coach for the upcoming season, will carry loads of expectations on his shoulders from expectant NEUFC fans.