NorthEast United sign Belgian defender Benjamin Lambot

The 33-year-old has previously featured for clubs in his native country as well as in Azerbaijan and Cyprus.

NorthEast United announced the signing of versatile Belgian player Benjamin Lambot on a one-year deal on Thursday. The 33-year-old becomes the club's third new foreign signing ahead of the 2020-21 season of the Indian Super League (ISL).

Starting off his youth career at White Star Bruxelles in Belgium, the player went on to feature for Tubize's senior team in 2001. He spent a major chunk of his career at the Belgian Second Division club, who he also helped secure promotion to the top flight in 2008. Thereafter, Benjamin Lambot went on to represent several other Belgian clubs, before eventually making a shift to Azerbaijani outfit Simurqe in 2014. In the 2019-20 season, the defender featured for Cypriot club Nea Salamina making over 20 appearances. Looking at his physical stature, the Highlanders brought him in to strengthen their defence.

NorthEast United will look to bounce back after a forgettable previous campaign that saw them finish in the penultimate position on the points table. A poor string of results also saw the club sack former head coach Robert Jarni. The Croatian tactician was succeeded by assistant coach Khalid Jamil until the end of the season.

Ahead of the new term, the Highlanders brought in experienced coach Gerard Nus, who was previously also a staff member at European giants Liverpool FC during Rafa Benitez's tenure. At NorthEast United, Nus will aim to help the club improve in the league and finish at a respectable position in the upcoming campaign.

During the ongoing transfer window, however, the Highlanders haven't been too active and are expected to announce their new signings hereafter. Before Benjamin Lambot, the club brought in Mauritania international Khassa Camara and Portuguese winger Luis Machado in order to bolster their squad.

The outfit also announced that talismanic midfielder Federico Gallego will be staying with them for yet another term. With more reinforcements expected in the coming weeks, it will be interesting to see if NorthEast United can fight for the playoffs.