Rahul KP signs multi-year contract extension at Kerala Blasters

The 20-year-old featured in eight games for the Yellow Army last season and also scored his maiden goal in the league.

Rahul KP has signed a five-year extension to his contract with Indian Super League (ISL) club Kerala Blasters, Khel Now can confirm. With that, he becomes only the fourth player in the country to be tied down on a contract that lasts till the end of the 2024-25 season.

"Rahul KP has put pen to paper for a new five-year deal at Kerala Blasters," a source close to the developments informed Khel Now. Contract negotiations between the player and the club had begun in August itself, but talks stalled after some time due to undisclosed circumstances. Negotiations then resumed earlier this month, with Rahul finally agreeing terms with the club and signing the new deal.

The 20-year-old's earliest claim to fame was his selection in the Luis Norton de Matos-led Indian national team that played in the FIFA U-17 World Cup hosted by the country in 2017. He was the only Keralite to book a berth in the 21-member squad and he also went on to make three appearances in the competition.

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In 2019, Kerala Blasters signed the youngster following his impressive showing with Indian Arrows in the I-League. He went on to play in eight games for the Yellow Army and scored his maiden ISL goal in only his third game in the top flight against Hyderabad FC. The pacy winger also starred in his team's unforgettable 2-1 win over arch-rivals Bengaluru FC later in the season.

Kerala Blasters, meanwhile, are on course to complete a massive restructuring of the squad under new head coach Kibu Vicuna and sporting director Karolis Skinkys. They have already handed long-term contract extensions to Sahal Abdul Samad, Jessel Carneiro, Abdul Hakku, Seityasen Singh, while also signing several talented youngsters like Nishu Kumar, Givson Singh, Prabsukhan Gill, Puitea among others.

With more signings and contract extensions yet to come, the two-time ISL finalists are keen to put an end to their poor form from the past three campaigns, during when they failed to make it to the playoffs.